In a recent case that has sent shock waves through the defense community, a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel is sentenced to 3 years in prison for storing classified information at his Florida home.
Case Background
Robert Birchum had a distinguished career spanning almost thirty years in the Air Force, during which he held various positions that involved the handling of classified information.
In 2017, investigators found that “knowingly removed more than 300 classified files or documents” and kept them in “his home, his overseas officer’s headquarters, and a storage pod in his driveway,” according to the release. Out of this more than 30 of the files and documents were marked “Top Secret.”
Department of Justice said in the news release that Robert Birchum had pleaded guilty earlier this year to unlawfully possessing and retaining classified documents relating to national defense.
The thumb drive found at Robert Birchum’s home contained 135 files marked as containing classified information, and a hard drive also found at his home had 10 files that had “information marked as Secret.” Investigators also found 48 paper documents that contained information marked as secret.
Conclusion
The sentencing of a retired Air Force officer to three years in prison for storing classified information at his Florida home proves that the mishandling of classified information undermines national security and can have severe legal consequences.
The updated news can be read at the source of this news – CNN.
