A Virginia government worker was taken into custody on Thursday for trying to convey classified data to a foreign government’s officer or agent, according to a Department of Justice announcement.
Nathan Laatsch, an IT specialist aged 28, who joined the Defense Intelligence Agency in 2019, was apprehended following a March 2025 tip to the FBI about an individual eager to disclose classified details to a friendly foreign nation.
Laatsch was a civilian employee in the DIA’s Insider Threat Division and held a top secret security clearance, according to the DOJ.
An email received by the FBI revealed that this person — later confirmed to be Laatsch — did not “agree or align with the values” of the Trump administration. They were prepared to provide classified materials within their reach, including “completed intelligence products, some unprocessed intelligence, and various classified documents.”
On May 7, after Laatsch learned that the thumb drive had been retrieved, he allegedly sent a message to the undercover agent appearing to say that he was seeking something in exchange for providing the information.
The following day, he specified that he was interested in “citizenship for your country” because he didn’t expect things in America “to improve in the long term,” the DOJ said. He also allegedly said he was “not opposed to other compensation,” but not in a place where he needed “material compensation.”
Laatsch was told on May 14 by the FBI agent that the “foreign government” was ready for additional classified information. Between May 15 and May 27, he transcribed more information and began to remove it from the building by folding the notes and hiding them in his clothing.
Laatsch was unknowingly communicating with an FBI agent when he was agreeing to share classified information, according to the DOJ. (iStock)
On Thursday, Laatsch arrived at a prearranged location in northern Virginia to drop the information off to the “foreign country.” He was arrested once the FBI received the documents.
His first court appearance is scheduled for Friday in the Eastern District of Virginia.
