On Tuesday, federal authorities took into custody a former military support official, alleging he knowingly shared classified information with journalists over several years.
Courtney Williams, 40, from Wagram, North Carolina, was arrested and later indicted by a federal grand jury for violating the Espionage Act by transmitting national defense information to individuals without authorization. Prosecutors claim Williams had a top-secret clearance and disclosed sensitive material despite receiving regular training and clear legal warnings against such actions.
Court documents indicate that Williams was part of a special military unit from 2010 to 2016 and had daily access to highly classified operations and tactics. As part of her duties, she signed a non-disclosure agreement, acknowledging the criminal consequences of unauthorized sharing of this information.
Investigators allege that between 2022 and 2025, Williams communicated repeatedly with a journalist, exchanging over 180 messages and logging more than 10 hours of phone calls. In these conversations, she reportedly provided details that later appeared in published reports and books, some of which included classified information. The journalist identified Williams as the source of this information.
Authorities also claim Williams exacerbated the situation by posting sensitive information on social media. Senior national security officials described the incident as a clear case of insider risk.
John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for National Security, stated, “Those who handle classified information have a serious obligation to protect it. When trust is violated, we will take decisive action.”
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, added, “We expect those serving our country to protect each other. When we uncover individuals leaking sensitive information for personal gain, we will pursue legal action.”
FBI counterintelligence officials accused Williams of compromising her oath and endangering U.S. service members. The case includes evidence suggesting Williams was aware of the legal risks she faced. On the day the journalist’s story was published, she reportedly expressed worry about “the amount of sensitive information being made public.”
In other messages referenced by prosecutors, she acknowledged the possibility of arrest, mentioned the Espionage Act, and seemed to understand the implications of leaking classified information.
