Navy Officer Convicted Of Leaking Classified Intelligence

The National Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) announced on Friday that Chief Petty Officer Bryce Pedicini has been found guilty of espionage during a general court-martial at Naval Station San Diego.

NCIS conducted an investigation in which Pedecini was found to be involved with giving classified intelligence to a representative of an unnamed foreign government.

According to court records obtained by Stars and Stripes, Pedicini’s spying began as early as November 2022 when he was contacted via Facebook Messenger by someone masquerading as a Japanese defense researcher.

The message led to Pedicini being offered payments in exchange for sensitive information. Despite pleading guilty to the lesser charge of bringing a personal phone into a secure area, Pedicini contested the more severe espionage allegations.

Prosecutor Leah O’Brien revealed in court that between October 2022 and February 2023, Pedicini transferred at least seven documents — classified as “white papers” — through various digital platforms like encrypted messaging service Telegram. Pedicini was allegedly paid $1,000 for the first document delivery.

NCIS Director Omar Lopez commented on the verdict, stating, “This guilty verdict holds Mr. Pedicini to account for his betrayal of his country and fellow service members.” He went on to reassure the public of NCIS’s commitment to identifying and exposing those who violate their oath to serve honorably, saying, “Although the overwhelming majority of Department of the Navy service members are honorable and faithful public servants, NCIS stands ready to expose those who are not.”

It’s a different kind of crime when someone entrusted to defend the nation turns around and conspires to make us weaker for a small profit — or a big one.

Pedicini will find out the punishment for his betrayals at his sentencing hearing on May 7.