BOSTON, Mass. (WLNE) — More than a year and a half after Jack Teixeira was arrested at his Dighton home, the former Air National Guardsman was sentenced to 15 years in prison. “Today’s sentence holds Mr. Teixeira accountable for being one of the most prolific leakers of classified information in American history,” FBI Boston Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen said. The 22-year-old was tracked down by the FBI last March after officials found he was spreading classified information about the war in Ukraine in group chats on social media. “Jack Teixeira told his cyber-pseudo buddies not to worry, he wouldn’t get caught,” Massachusetts Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy said. “Well he was wrong about that.” Prosecutors argued in federal court Tuesday that Teixeira should be sentenced to nearly 17 years in prison, saying the damage he caused will impact national security for decades to come. “His actions compromised military plans, sources and methods, and allowed our most significant adversaries access to some of our most closely guarded intelligence,” Cohen said. Defense attorneys sought a lesser sentence of 11 years, acknowledging that Teixeira made a “terrible decision” but saying the actions were never meant to harm the United States. Officials said they believed deterrence was a major factor in the lengthy sentencing. “We bring these cases so we don’t have to worry about those headlines in the future about leaked information,” Levy said. “Whatever your motive, you face going to jail for 15 years for someone who’s never had any criminal record.” The former guardsman will have three years of supervised release in addition to his 15-year sentence. Categories: Massachusetts, News