The FBI has intensified its search for Monica Witt, a former US Air Force officer wanted for allegedly spying for Iran before fleeing the country.
To help catch her, the agency is offering a $200,000 reward for information leading to her arrest. Indicted in 2019, Witt allegedly defected to Iran in 2013 and is accused of sharing classified information and aiding Iranian intelligence operations.
Daniel Wierzbicki, special agent in charge of the counterintelligence and cyber division at the FBI’s Washington office, said: “The FBI has not forgotten her and believes that, especially at this critical time in Iran, someone may have information about her whereabouts. We want to hear from you to help us track down Witt and bring her to justice.”
The FBI announced Thursday that it is still searching for Monica Witt, who is believed to have fled to Iran in 2013. The agency said it suspects she “likely continues to support (Iranian) nefarious activities.”
Monica Witt, a former counterintelligence agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, served from 2003 to 2008 in assignments that included deployments to the Middle East.
According to prosecutors, from approximately January 2012 to May 2015, while in Iran and other locations outside the United States, Witt allegedly conspired with Iranian officials to provide “documents and information relating to the national defense of the United States with the intent and reason to believe that the same will be used to injure the United States and benefit Iran.”
After her defection, Iranian officials allegedly supplied Witt with “goods and services, including housing and computer equipment” to support her work on their behalf, according to the indictment. It remains unknown if he has legal representation in the US
The indictment also names four Iranian nationals and charges them with conspiracy, attempted computer hacking and aggravated identity theft.
