Former Fort Bragg Employee Arrested for Leaking Classified Military Secrets to Journalist

Courtney Williams, a former employee at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, has been arrested and charged with leaking classified military information to a journalist, according to announcements from the FBI and Department of Justice. Williams, who worked for a special military unit from 2010 to 2016 and held top-secret clearance, allegedly shared sensitive national defense secrets between 2022 and 2025.

Federal prosecutors revealed that Williams maintained regular contact with a journalist via phone calls and text messages, knowingly disclosing classified information that was later published in an article and a book about Fort Bragg. The texts show Williams was fully aware of the potential legal consequences. In one message, she expressed concern about the volume of classified information being leaked and acknowledged she could face arrest, saying, “I have known my entire career,” when asked about the risks.

This case highlights ongoing challenges in safeguarding national security information and underscores the FBI’s commitment to prosecuting leaks that endanger American interests. FBI Director Kash Patel praised the investigation, stating, “Let this serve as a message to any would-be leakers: we’re working these cases, and we’re making arrests. This FBI will not tolerate those who seek to betray our country and put Americans in harm’s way.”

The FBI’s Charlotte field office is leading the investigation. Fort Bragg and the Army have not issued any official statements in response to the charges. This arrest serves as a stark reminder of the risks and consequences tied to unauthorized disclosures of classified material, especially when those disclosures compromise military operations and national security.