A court-martial began on Monday for Jack Teixeira, a 23-year-old member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard. Teixeira is already serving a 15-year prison sentence for leaking classified U.S. national security documents online. The military charges against him include disobeying orders and obstructing justice.
During a hearing at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts, a military judge announced that Teixeira had agreed to plead guilty. However, his lawyers reserved the right to challenge the charges before accepting them.
The military charges were filed after Teixeira accessed and shared classified information on Discord while serving at Otis Air National Guard Base. Prosecutors claim he obstructed justice by disposing of an iPad, computer hard drive, and iPhone after the leaks were discovered in April 2023. He also allegedly instructed someone to delete his online messages.
The Air Force pursued these charges after Teixeira pleaded guilty to separate federal charges in March 2024. His defense team argues that this amounts to double prosecution, as he was already punished for similar offenses in civilian court. If convicted, Teixeira could face an additional 10 years in prison, a dishonorable discharge, or a reduction in rank.
Air Force prosecutors maintain that the military charges are distinct from those in civilian court and do not violate the Constitution’s prohibition on double jeopardy. The proceedings were recessed until Thursday, when the judge is expected to rule.
