Jerry Chun Shing Lee, Retaining Classified Information, Virginia 2024

A former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officer was arrested last night in a high-profile national security case. Jerry Chun Shing Lee, 53, was taken into custody at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, New York, after arriving on a flight from Hong Kong, China.

Lee, a naturalized United States citizen, resides in Hong Kong and has a long history with the CIA, dating back to 1994. He began working as a case officer and maintained a Top Secret clearance, signing numerous non-disclosure agreements during his tenure.

According to court documents, Lee and his family left Hong Kong in August 2012 to return to the United States and live in northern Virginia. During their travels, FBI agents conducted court-authorized searches of Lee's room and luggage, discovering that he was in unauthorized possession of classified materials.

The materials, which included two small books containing handwritten notes, contained sensitive information such as true names and phone numbers of assets and covert CIA employees, operational notes from asset meetings, and locations of covert facilities.

Lee made his initial appearance in the Eastern District of New York this afternoon and is charged with unlawful retention of national defense information. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil Hammerstrom and Deputy Chief Elizabeth Cannon of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

A copy of the press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:18-mj-18.

A criminal complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

Defendant: Jerry Chun Shing Lee

Criminal Charges: Unlawful retention of national defense information

City and State: Queens, New York

Date: 2024

Sentence: Up to 10 years in prison if convicted

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edva/pr/former-cia-officer-arrested-retaining-classified-information