Baltimore, Maryland – In a shocking turn of events, 67-year-old Nghia Hoang Pho of Ellicott City, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to willful retention of national defense information.
According to court documents, Pho was employed as a Tailored Access Operations (TAO) developer for the National Security Agency (NSA) from April 2006. During his employment, Pho held various security clearances and had access to national defense and classified information. However, Pho removed and retained United States government documents and writings that contained national defense information, including information classified as Top Secret and Sensitive Compartmented Information, from 2010 to March 2015.
Pho’s actions were a flagrant violation of national security law, and the FBI investigation revealed a serious breach of trust. ‘The facts supporting this criminal charge and guilty plea display a total disregard of the defendant’s oath and promise to protect our nation’s national security,’ said Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning.
The guilty plea was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning; Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security Dana J. Boente; and Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office.
Pho faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. United States District Judge George L. Russell has scheduled sentencing for April 6, 2018, at 10 a.m.
Acting United States Attorney Schenning and Acting Assistant Attorney General Boente commended the FBI and the NSA for their work in the investigation.
Pho’s crimes were a betrayal of the trust inherent in the security clearance he was granted, and the FBI will vigorously investigate cases whenever a compromise of classified information arises.
Key Facts
- State: Maryland
- Category: Cybercrime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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