A U.S. Navy sailor has been charged with espionage for allegedly leaking sensitive military materials to a foreign agent on multiple occasions over a six-month period last year.
Chief Petty Officer Bryce Pedicini, a 16-year Navy veteran stationed in Japan, is accused of passing classified documents or images to an individual he met with at least seven times between November 2022 and May 2023 while serving aboard the USS Higgins.
The materials were alleged to contain national defense information that could harm U.S. interests and aid its adversaries.
In addition to espionage, Pedicini faces charges for improperly bringing a personal device near classified systems and failing to report his foreign contacts to superiors.
The case remains under investigation by the Navy.
U.S Navy Officer Charged with Espionage
U.S. Navy chief petty officer Bryce Pedicini, who was stationed in Japan is accused of passing documents to a foreign employee on multiple occasions. Espionage charges are the most serious offenses in the military and carries serious… pic.twitter.com/LZaja26Hwk
— Brooklyn (@bklynborn1210) February 25, 2024
