Ex-CIA Engineer Sentenced to 40 Years for Leaking Hacking Secrets to WikiLeaks

Former CIA computer engineer, Joshua Schulte, has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for the significant theft of classified information in CIA history, as well as possession of child sexual abuse images and videos. The majority of the sentence is attributed to the release of CIA secrets by WikiLeaks in 2017, known as the Vault 7 leak, exposing CIA hacking operations on Apple and Android smartphones and attempts to turn internet-connected televisions into listening devices. Schulte, who had helped create the hacking tools while working at the agency’s headquarters, was also convicted for possessing child sexual abuse materials. Despite being offered a plea deal, Schulte complained about harsh conditions in detention, and the judge criticized his lack of remorse and acceptance of responsibility. The court emphasized the severe harm caused to U.S. national security and the CIA by Schulte’s actions.