Former Salem resident Ariel Weinmann could face the death penalty.
(NORFOLK, Va.) - The Navy has released new details surrounding the alleged espionage and desertion case against former Salem resident Ariel J. Weinmann.
The Navy says Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents found $4,000 cash, three CD-ROMs, an external computer storage device and memory cards for storing digital in the 21-year-old Fire Control Technician petty officer third class pockets.
Weinmann is facing charges that include desertion, larceny, destroying US military property, failure to obey orders or regulations, and espionage
Desertion and espionage in times of war can carry the death penalty.
According to testimony by a customs agent at a preliminary hearing, Weinmann was found carrying a piece of paper with the names, Social Security numbers and birth dates of two individuals, as well as a notebook whose handwritten contents.
In this case, officials say the charges could result in a life sentence if Weinmann is court-martialed and found guilty.
Weinmann was arrested Sunday, March 26th at Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport.
The Navy alleges that Weinmann tried to pass secrets to foreign officials while in Bahrain, during sub's port visit, in March 2005; in Vienna on October 19th 2005; and in Mexico City on March 19th 2006.
Weinmann lived in Vienna after deserting in July 2005.
Weinmann put electronic copies of the classified information classified confidential and secret onto a government laptop between May and July 2005, knowing that the information "was to be used to the injury of the United States or to the advantage of a foreign nation."
Then allegedly stole the laptop, three CD-ROMs, an external computer storage device and memory cards for storing digital images when he deserted the submarine in Connecticut on July 3rd , 2005.
Military officials believe he destroyed the hard drive "by smashing it with a mallet" in Vienna in March 2006.
Navy: Oregon Sailor Passed National Defense Information to Foreign Government Officials in Austria And MexicoSalem-News.com