They sold information on US nuclear submarines and detained them

Nail American couple arrested in West Virginia state accused of selling information on nuclear ships to what she believes to be a foreign countrythe Justice Department reported on Sunday.

For almost a year, the pair “sold known information and restricted data on the design of nuclear ships to a person suspected of representing a foreign country”adds the statement. The recipient was an undercover FBI agent.

Jonathan Toebbe, who for his work had access to restricted data on nuclear-powered warships, collaborated with his wife to hand over data on submarine nuclear reactors in exchange for $ 100,000 in cryptocurrency, is set out in an affidavit attached to the complaint.

In April 2020 Toebbe sent a package to a foreign government which contained “a restricted data sample and instructions for establishing a clandestine relationship,” according to the document.

The complaint says that the The FBI intercepted the package and an undercover agent he pretended to be a representative of this foreign government in order to establish a relationship with the couple.

The agent sent Jonathan Toebbe, who was using the pseudonym Alice, a e-mail giving you a gift as a thank you for the data. However, Toebee responded cautiously and asked instead to establish a delivery location and charge in cryptocurrency.

In the following months, the couple transferred multiple SD cards with data to the agent. In the first installment, “the SD card was wrapped in plastic between the slices of bread in a peanut butter sandwich,” the agent said in the complaint.

Other cards were hidden in a pack of chewing gum and Band Aid wrap with the included ribbon.
The couple, both in their 40s, were arrested on Saturday. at the time of delivery of another SD card.

United States Attorney General Merrick Garland praised the agencies that participated in “foiling the conspiracy” and take “the first step in bringing criminals to justice,” the statement said.

The The Defense Ministry declined to comment on the news contacted by AFP. The couple will appear in West Virginia federal court on Tuesday.

The American submarines switched to nuclear power, were recently in the Spotlight when Australia and Britain reveal new contract defense negotiated secretly for several months.

To conclude this agreement, Australia breaks up already agreed multi-million dollar purchase of French conventional submarines This sparked a serious diplomatic problem both between Canberra and Paris and between the Gallic government and Washington.