A former US defense industry engineer has been sentenced to more than ten years in prison for attempting to pass sensitive military information to Moscow, in a case that underscores the risks of insider threats to national security. On September 16, 2025, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported that John Murray Rowe Jr., who had access to classified programs, received a 10.5-year sentence after trying to provide Russia with details of electronic warfare systems used by American fighter aircraft. His actions, which included continued disclosures even after arrest, were seen as a direct threat to the safety of US personnel and the integrity of defense capabilities. The case has drawn attention to Russia’s ongoing efforts to exploit human vulnerabilities to penetrate US security structures, as highlighted in the investigation.
FBI undercover operation thwarted sensitive data transfer
Rowe, who spent nearly four decades working for leading defense contractors with both “secret” and “top secret” clearance, became a prime target for foreign intelligence services. Believing he was in contact with a Russian operative, he began in 2020 to share classified information about technologies that play a critical role in protecting American aircraft. According to the FBI, an undercover operation prevented the transfer of highly sensitive data to Moscow, but the incident demonstrated the high level of risk facing personnel in the defense sector.
Continued disclosures from prison highlight scale of threat
Even after his arrest and confession, Rowe continued to share restricted information during phone calls from prison. Investigators said this showed not only personal hostility toward the United States but also an ideological commitment to helping an adversary. Such conduct, officials warned, illustrates the complexity of countering internal threats and the difficulty of completely isolating individuals with insider knowledge once they are compromised.
US response signals zero tolerance for betrayal
The Department of Justice emphasized that sentencing Rowe to over ten years was intended not only as punishment but also as a deterrent to others in sensitive positions who might consider cooperating with foreign services. The FBI underlined that Russia’s strategy involves more than cyberattacks or military operations; it also seeks to undermine the United States by exploiting weaknesses from within. Officials stressed that comprehensive counterintelligence measures and strict personnel monitoring remain essential to protect national defense systems.
