A 28-year-old IT specialist thought he could play spy games with national security and got slapped with handcuffs instead. Nathan Laatsch, a civilian employee at the Defense Intelligence Agency, was arrested in Virginia on May 29, 2025, for trying to funnel classified documents to someone he believed was a foreign government official.
Laatsch, employed by the DIA since 2019, allegedly attempted to share sensitive information with a foreign agent, according to the Department of Justice.
Fox News reported that his arrest followed an FBI sting operation that caught him red-handed after he expressed disdain for the Trump administration’s values. In March 2025, the FBI got a tip about someone eager to spill secrets to a friendly foreign government.
Laatsch, holding a top-secret clearance, was the culprit, sending an email that practically begged to betray his country. He promised a buffet of classified documents, from polished intelligence reports to raw data.
Laatsch didn’t know he was chatting with an FBI agent posing as a foreign official. Over several weeks, he meticulously transcribed classified information onto a notepad at his desk, smuggling it out of his workplace. Actions have consequences, and his were about to catch up.
By May 1, 2025, Laatsch was bold enough to leave a thumb drive at a northern Virginia park, thinking it would reach his foreign contact.
The FBI swooped in, retrieving the drive loaded with secret and top-secret documents, plus a message from Laatsch boasting about his “decent sample size.” Arrogance, meet reality.
Laatsch’s message on the thumb drive claimed he was showcasing his access to sensitive information. He thought he was auditioning for a foreign government, but the FBI was the only audience watching. His bravado only tightened the noose.
On May 7, Laatsch hinted he wanted something in return for his betrayal. He messaged the undercover agent, suggesting a deal for more than just a pat on the back. Ideology might spark the fire, but greed fans the flames.
By May 8, Laatsch clarified his price: citizenship in the foreign country. He cited America’s “long-term” decline, saying he didn’t expect things to “improve” here. Funny how some confuse personal gripes with national doom.
Laatsch also claimed he wasn’t chasing “material compensation” but was open to other rewards. His lofty ideals didn’t stop him from haggling like a flea market vendor. Principles, it seems, come with a price tag.
On May 14, the FBI agent, still posing as a foreign official, told Laatsch the “government” was hungry for more secrets. Like a moth to a flame, he couldn’t resist. His ego wrote checks his clearance couldn’t cash.
Between May 15 and May 27, Laatsch upped the ante, transcribing more classified data and hiding it in his clothing to sneak it out of the DIA building. He thought he was outsmarting everyone, but the FBI was playing chess while he played checkers. Stealth doesn’t work when you’re under surveillance.
His final act came on May 29, when he delivered the documents at a prearranged spot in northern Virginia. FBI agents were waiting, and Laatsch’s spy fantasy ended with a one-way ticket to custody. The curtain fell fast.
Laatsch’s first court appearance is set for May 30, 2025, in the Eastern District of Virginia. He’ll face the music for jeopardizing national security over a political tantrum. Justice doesn’t care about your feelings.
His email to the FBI whined that he “didn’t align” with the Trump administration’s values. Disagreement is fine; treason is not. Laatsch’s story is a reminder that loyalty to country trumps personal vendettas.
