WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A 21-year-old sailor has been charged with espionage for allegedly trying to pass classified information to foreign agents, the U.S. Navy said on Wednesday.
According to defense officials, Petty Officer Ariel Weinmann was working on behalf of Russia.
The Navy sent preliminary charges of espionage and desertion to the commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command. The commander now must make a decision on what official charges Weinmann will face in a court martial proceeding.
The Navy said Weinmann, a fire control technician third class, tried to pass information to foreign agents in Manama, Bahrain, in March 2005, in Vienna, Austria, on October 19, 2005, and in Mexico City on March 19, 2006.
He deserted the Navy in July 2005 and was picked up by immigration agents when he tried to return to the United States in March 2006 through Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
Weinmann had access to limited information aboard the submarine, according to defense officials. People familiar with the case said the Navy was still trying to determine what information Weinmann may have tried to pass, and whether he was successful.
Charges of espionage and desertion can carry the punishment of death.