OMAHA, Neb. -- The Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) played a central role in securing the conviction of a former U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) employee who unlawfully disclosed classified national defense information during the early months of the Russia–Ukraine war.
David Franklin Slater, 64, was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison, one year of supervised release and a $25,000 fine, Oct. 8. The outcome was the result of a joint investigation between AFOSI Detachment 204 and the FBI Omaha Field Office.
At the time of the disclosures, Slater was a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel working as a civilian employee at USSTRATCOM with a Top Secret clearance. He had access to classified briefings, including those focused on Russia’s military operations in Ukraine.
During the initial investigation, officials determined that between February and April 2022, Slater transmitted information classified at the Secret level through a foreign online dating platform to an individual overseas identified as a co-conspirator.
Special Agents from AFOSI and the FBI found that Slater relayed details of Russian military targets, capabilities and U.S. officials’ travel plans, information that could have undermined U.S. national security.
His sentence follows Slater’s guilty plea in July to one count of conspiracy to disclose national defense information.
For Special Agents, the case illustrates more than the exposure of an insider threat.
“This outcome was the result of our Special Agents tireless efforts, who worked side by side with the FBI, to ensure this betrayal of trust was uncovered,” said Special Agent Tara Sutsko, AFOSI Det. 204 commander. “Det. 204 remains committed to defending national security at every level.”