Former U.S. Air Force Counterintelligence Specialist Charged with Espionage for Iran

The FBI is offering a $200,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Monica Elfriede Witt, a former U.S. Air Force specialist accused of defecting to Iran and providing classified national defense information.

Charges and Reward

Witt was indicted in February 2019 on charges of espionage, including transmitting national defense information to Iranian authorities. The FBI is offering a $200,000 reward for information leading to her capture and prosecution.

Four Iranian nationals were also indicted in 2019 on charges of conspiracy and aggravated identity theft in connection with this case.

Alleged Activities

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Witt provided information that endangered U.S. personnel and their families abroad. She is also accused of conducting research on behalf of Iran to target her former U.S. colleagues.

Prosecutors allege she shared classified information about a Department of Defense program with Iran and assisted Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Background

Witt served in the U.S. Air Force from 1997 to 2008, where she was trained in the Farsi language and deployed on classified counterintelligence missions, including assignments in the Middle East.

After leaving the Air Force, she worked as a Defense Department contractor until 2010.

According to the Justice Department, Witt traveled to Iran in 2012 to attend an anti-Western conference and returned in 2013, after which she defected. Iranian officials reportedly provided her with housing and computer equipment.

Before her defection, the FBI had warned Witt about her activities. She told agents she would not provide sensitive information if she returned to Iran.

Current Status

The FBI has stated that it believes someone may have knowledge of Witt's current whereabouts.

FBI Special Agent Daniel Wierzbicki said that the agency is seeking public assistance to locate her.