A former civilian employee at a Department of Defense agency has pleaded guilty to mishandling classified materials and could face up to five years imprisonment. Margaret Anne Ashby, 26, from Henderson, Nevada, entered into a guilty plea for the unauthorized removal and retention of classified documents, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Georgia.
U.S. Attorney Jill E. Steinberg highlighted the importance of securely managing sensitive materials, stating that those allowed to work with such documents know the rules for their safekeeping and the consequences of failing to comply. Ashby's misconduct took place from February to May 2022, during which she unlawfully removed documents related to national defense or foreign relations to keep at her home and on personal digital devices.
The guilty plea could land Ashby a prison term, substantial financial penalties, and up to three years of supervised release. It is important to note that in the federal system, there is no option for parole. The sentencing awaits completion of a pre-sentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Services, with U.S. District Court Judge J. Randal Hall to schedule a hearing.
Assistant FBI Atlanta Agent in Charge Brian Ozden stressed the gravity of Ashby's actions, stating, "When people violate the trust given to them to safeguard our nation’s intelligence, they put our country at risk," as per the U.S. Attorney's Office release. The prosecution of the case was carried out jointly by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorneys L. Alexander Hamner, Darron J. Hubbard, and the Department of Justice's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section's Trial Attorney David J. Ryan.
