Jonathan and Diana Toebbe [Image: West Virginia Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority]
Jonathan and Diana Toebbe, the Maryland couple arrested in Jefferson County, W.Va., by the FBI and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) in October final 12 months, had been sentenced right now for conspiracy to speak restricted information associated to the design of nuclear-powered warships.
Jonathan Toebbe, 44, of Annapolis, was sentenced right now to 232 months, over 19 years, of incarceration. His spouse, Diana Toebbe, 46, was sentenced to 262 months, greater than 21 years, of incarceration. The Toebbes pleaded responsible to the conspiracy in August 2022.
As those that have been following the case might recall, it entails a story of useless letter drops, cryptocurrency, an SD card in a peanut butter sandwich and encrypted emails.
According to court docket paperwork, says the Department of Justice, on the time of his arrest, Jonathan Toebbe was an worker of the Department of the Navy who served as a nuclear engineer and was assigned to the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, often known as Naval Reactors. He held an lively nationwide safety clearance via the Department of Defense, giving him entry to “Restricted Data” throughout the that means of the Atomic Energy Act. Restricted Data issues design, manufacture or utilization of atomic weapons, or manufacturing of Special Nuclear Material (SNM), or use of SNM within the manufacturing of vitality – equivalent to naval reactors. Jonathan Toebbe labored with and had entry to data regarding naval nuclear propulsion together with data associated to navy delicate design parts, working parameters and efficiency traits of the reactors for nuclear powered warships.
Again citing court docket paperwork, the Department of Justice says that Jonathan Toebbe despatched a bundle to a international authorities, itemizing a return deal with in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, containing a pattern of Restricted Data and directions for establishing a covert relationship to buy further Restricted Data. Jonathan Toebbe started corresponding through encrypted e-mail with a person whom he believed to be a consultant of the international authorities. The particular person was actually an undercover FBI agent. Jonathan Toebbe continued this correspondence for a number of months, which led to an settlement to promote Restricted Data in change for hundreds of {dollars} in cryptocurrency.
On June 8, 2021, the spy despatched $10,000 in cryptocurrency to Jonathan Toebbe as “good faith” cost. Shortly afterwards, on June 26, Jonathan Toebbe serviced a useless drop by inserting an SD card, which was hid inside half a peanut butter sandwich and contained navy delicate design parts regarding submarine nuclear reactors, at a pre-arranged location. After retrieving the SD card, the spy despatched Jonathan Toebbe a $20,000 cryptocurrency cost. In return, Jonathan Toebbe emailed the spy a decryption key for the SD Card. A evaluate of the SD card revealed that it contained Restricted Data associated to submarine nuclear reactors. On Aug. 28, 2021, Jonathan Toebbe made one other “dead drop” of an SD card in japanese Virginia, this time concealing the cardboard in a chewing gum bundle. After making a cost to Jonathan Toebbe of $70,000 in cryptocurrency, the FBI acquired a decryption key for the cardboard. It, too, contained Restricted Data associated to submarine nuclear reactors. The FBI arrested Jonathan Toebbe and his spouse on Oct. 9, 2021 after he positioned one more SD card at a pre-arranged “dead drop” at a second location in West Virginia.
“The Toebbes conspired to sell restricted defense information that would place the lives of our men and women in uniform and the security of the United States at risk,” mentioned Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “The Department of Justice remains committed to protecting U.S. defense technology.”
“Naval nuclear engineer Jonathan Toebbe was entrusted with our nation’s critical secrets and, along with his wife Diana Toebbe, put the security of our country at risk for financial gain,” mentioned U.S. Attorney Cindy Chung for the Western District of Pennsylvania. “Their serious criminal conduct betrayed and endangered the Department of the Navy’s loyal and selfless service members. The seriousness of the offense in this case cannot be overstated.”
“The Toebbes betrayed the American people and put our national security at significant risk when they selfishly attempted to sell highly sensitive information related to nuclear-powered warships for their own financial benefit,” mentioned Special Agent in Charge Brice Miller of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Office of Special Projects. “As the law enforcement arm of the Department of the Navy responsible for preventing terrorism, reducing crime, and protecting secrets, NCIS remains committed to protecting vital information and technology that ensures the superiority of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.”
