A Maryland scientist who worked for several federal agencies, including the Defense and Energy departments, was arrested on attempted espionage charges for allegedly trying to sell classified U.S. information to someone he thought represented Israel.

Stewart Nozette.
NASA.gov

Stewart David Nozette, 52, was charged with attempted espionage.

The U.S. Justice Department identified the scientist as Stewart David Nozette, 52, of Chevy Chase, Md. According to a Justice Department press release, besides the Energy and Defense departments, Nozette also worked for NASA.

The release added these additional details:

A criminal complaint unsealed today in the District of Columbia charges Stewart David Nozette, 52, of Chevy Chase, Maryland, with attempted espionage for knowingly and willfully attempting to communicate, deliver, and transmit classified information relating to the national defense of the United States to an individual that Nozette believed to be an Israeli intelligence officer. The complaint does not allege that the government of Israel or anyone acting on its behalf committed any offense under U.S. laws in this case.

 

Nozette was arrested earlier today by FBI agents and is expected to make his initial appearance tomorrow in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

"The conduct alleged in this complaint is serious and should serve as a warning to anyone who would consider compromising our nation's secrets for profit," said David Kris, Assistant Attorney General for National Security.

NASA has this Q and A with Nozette on its website.