The FBI’s Washington Field Office has put forth a $200,000 reward for information leading to the capture of a former U.S. intelligence officer accused of espionage for Iran.
Monica Witt, aged 47, served as an intelligence specialist with the U.S. Air Force and is now facing federal charges. These charges stem from allegations that she provided critical national defense information to the Iranian government.
Witt is described as a white female, around 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing approximately 120 pounds, with brown hair and eyes. She is known to speak Farsi and may go by the aliases Fatemah Zahra or Narges Witt.
Authorities believe she is currently residing in Iran.
She was active in the U.S. Air Force from 1997 to 2008, during which she held significant security clearances. This granted her access to sensitive information regarding foreign intelligence and counterintelligence activities.
Witt’s classified missions abroad allowed her to gather crucial information, which she later allegedly disclosed to Iranian officials.
In February 2012, she attended a conference in Iran sponsored by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and defected there the following year.
The indictment outlines that Iranian officials provided her with housing and equipment after her defection. Allegations state that Witt revealed classified U.S. defense information, including identities and missions related to sensitive operations.
Her actions reportedly endangered U.S. national defense mechanisms and personnel abroad.
The indictment accuses Witt of conspiracy and two counts of delivering national defense information to a foreign government, specifically Iran. An arrest warrant was issued following these charges.
Additionally, four Iranian individuals are also charged in connection with a cyber campaign targeting the U.S. Intelligence Community, including Witt’s former associates.
Authorities maintain that Witt’s defection has aided the IRGC, known for its intelligence operations against U.S. interests.
“Monica Witt allegedly betrayed her oath over a decade ago by defecting to Iran and delivering classified information,” stated Daniel Wierzbicki, head of the FBI’s Washington Field Office’s Counterintelligence Division. The FBI believes there are people who can assist in locating Witt, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
