Federal authorities have put fresh money on an old manhunt, announcing Thursday a $200,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Monica Witt, a former U.S. Air Force counterintelligence specialist accused of defecting to Iran and sharing classified American intelligence. The move breathes new life into a high‑profile espionage case first unsealed in 2019 and again spotlights a fugitive the government says helped compromise undercover programs and colleagues. The FBI Washington Field Office posted the reward as investigators renewed public appeals for leads.
In a statement, the FBI Washington Field Office said it is offering up to $200,000 for information that results in Witt’s apprehension and prosecution. "The FBI has not forgotten and believes that during this critical moment in Iran's history, there is someone who knows something about her whereabouts," said Daniel Wierzbicki, special agent in charge of the office’s Counterintelligence and Cyber Division. Tips can go to 1-800-CALL-FBI or through the bureau’s online tip portal, where agents will be waiting to hear from anyone willing to talk.
Indictment Unsealed in 2019
Prosecutors in the District of Columbia unsealed an indictment in February 2019 charging Witt with conspiring to transmit national‑defense information to Iran and with related identity‑theft offenses, according to the Justice Department. The indictment alleges Witt revealed details about a classified Defense Department program and helped Iranian operatives identify former U.S. intelligence personnel. Four Iranian nationals were also charged, accused of taking part in a cyber campaign that allegedly targeted Witt’s former colleagues.
Alleged Defection And Iran Ties
Authorities say Witt defected to Iran in 2013 after attending events in Tehran that U.S. officials describe as promoting anti‑American propaganda, and that Iranian officials later supplied housing and computer equipment to support her work, as reported by CBS News. Prosecutors contend she then worked with elements of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to target her former colleagues, conduct the government characterizes as a serious threat to national security. The charges have stayed active while Witt has reportedly remained out of reach.
How To Submit Tips
The FBI has posted photos and identifying information on a wanted page and says tips may be submitted through its website or by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI. A wanted poster is available at fbi.gov/wanted/counterintelligence/monica-elfriede-witt. The bureau notes the reward applies to information that leads to both apprehension and prosecution, not just a helpful hint. Tips from overseas can also be passed along through the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Legal Stakes And Context
Witt remains an indicted fugitive, and the Justice Department’s filings describe federal espionage and aggravated identity‑theft counts at the core of the case, according to the Justice Department. Officials have linked the alleged conduct to a broader effort to compromise U.S. personnel through cyber operations and misuse of stolen identities. Bringing her into custody, they say, is still a priority for counterintelligence investigators who are not treating this as a cold case.
The $200,000 offer is the most visible federal push in years to track down a former insider accused of betraying U.S. secrets more than a decade ago. Authorities say they plan to keep chasing leads and are urging anyone who might know where Witt is to contact the FBI without delay.
