Nathan Laatsch, a 28-year-old IT specialist with the Defense Intelligence Agency, has been taken into custody in Virginia following allegations of trying to furnish classified information to a foreign contact.

The incident and arrest, notable moments for the Trump administration, was the result of an FBI undercover operation devised after receipt of a tip regarding a potential insider threat within the agency, as Fox News reports.

Laatsch, who has been with the DIA since 2019, was employed in the Insider Threat Division, an area that provided him with access to top-secret information.

With his security clearance, Laatsch was in a position of trust, making the nature of the allegations particularly concerning to agency officials.

FBI uncovers potential breach

In March 2025, the FBI received information about an individual expressing a willingness to pass confidential information to a foreign government. This tip prompted an investigation that culminated in Laatsch's arrest.

Posing as a foreign government representative, an FBI agent made contact with Laatsch. The agent's role was crucial in verifying Laatsch's intent to transmit sensitive data.

Laatsch allegedly began his illegal activities by accessing data over a three-day period, meticulously transcribing it onto a notepad.

These actions marked the beginning of a series of steps where Laatsch endeavored to smuggle this information out of a secure environment.

Secret communications made through digital means

On or around May 1, Laatsch took another step in the operation. He was seen leaving a thumb drive in a park located in northern Virginia. Part of the sting, this act confirmed Laatsch's commitment to sharing classified documents.

The thumb drive reportedly contained a communique from Laatsch and documents marked Secret and Top Secret, further underscoring his access to such data.

This act demonstrated his capability to exfiltrate and store sensitive material outside of secured systems.

Following the park incident, Laatsch made contact again on May 7, communicating a clear interest in receiving something tangible for the information he was willing to trade. He alluded to wanting citizenship in a foreign nation, revealing a potential motive for his actions.

Further breaches lead to arrest

Over the ensuing weeks, Laatsch continued his efforts to remove additional classified information. Between May 15 and May 27, he frequently transcribed information and clandestinely removed it by concealing notes on his person.

This ongoing extraction of data did not go unnoticed. The investigative operation intensively monitored his actions, capturing his repeated departures from protocol and security procedures.

On a prearranged date in late May, Laatsch attempted another document drop-off. It was during this attempt that authorities apprehended him, effectively stopping his activities.

Laatsch's motivations, views emerge

The investigation also shed light on Laatsch's state of mind and reasons for his actions. In one of his email exchanges, Laatsch disclosed his dissatisfaction with the political climate under the Trump administration.

Adding to his disaffection, he expressed skepticism about the prospects for improvement within the United States. These sentiments drove his communications, including a request for foreign citizenship as a more permanent compensation.

While Laatsch stated that he wasn't at a point where he required monetary reward, the allure of a new national identity suggested deeper motivations. Officials are continuing to investigate all aspects of this incident with caution and thoroughness.