Palm Beach Resident Pleads Guilty to Espionage Act Violations

West Palm Beach’s Christopher R. Glenn, 34, has entered a guilty plea on serious charges stemming from the illegal access and removal of classified information from military computers.

In what federal prosecutors describe as an unprecedented breach of national security trust, Glenn faces up to 10 years in prison for each count of violating the Espionage Act and Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. He also stands accused of conspiring with his wife, Khadraa A. Glenn, 28, in a scheme to commit naturalization fraud.

According to Wifredo A. Ferrer, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, ‘Obtaining national defense information when you are not entitled to it is a serious threat to our national security.’ The plea comes as Glenn’s wife was previously sentenced for her role in the naturalization fraud conspiracy.

The charges against Christopher Glenn were announced by U.S. Attorney Ferrer, Assistant Attorney General John P. Carlin for National Security, FBI Special Agent in Charge George Piro, and other law enforcement officials. The investigation was a collaborative effort involving multiple agencies, including the FBI, U.S. Army’s 470th Military Intelligence Brigade, USCIS, Internal Revenue Service, Department of Homeland Security, and the South Florida Joint Terrorism Task Force.

Assistant Attorney General Carlin highlighted the unique trust placed in computer systems administrators. ‘With today’s plea, Mr. Glenn is being held accountable for his violation of that trust,’ he said. FBI Special Agent Piro emphasized the ongoing vigilance against espionage: ‘The Cold War may be over, but espionage is still a threat. The FBI remains vigilant to protect our nation’s secrets.’

Glenn’s sentencing is scheduled for April 17, 2015, where he faces substantial penalties. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ricardo Del Toro and Trial Attorney Christian Ford of the Counterespionage Section are prosecuting the case.

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