The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has announced a $200,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Monica Witt, a former U.S. military intelligence officer accused of spying for Iran.
Witt was indicted by a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia in February 2019 on multiple espionage-related charges, including allegedly transmitting classified national defense information to the Iranian government.
According to a statement released by the FBI Washington Field Office, Witt previously served as an active-duty intelligence specialist in the U.S. Air Force and later worked as a special agent for the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.
Authorities said she served in the military between 1997 and 2008 before continuing as a U.S. government contractor until 2010.
Her military and intelligence background reportedly gave her access to highly sensitive classified information, including secret and top-secret intelligence materials connected to U.S. foreign intelligence and counterintelligence operations.
Officials also alleged that Witt had access to the identities of undercover personnel within the U.S. Intelligence Community.
According to the indictment, Witt defected to Iran in 2013 and allegedly began cooperating with the Iranian government.
The FBI claimed her actions exposed sensitive U.S. defense programmes and endangered intelligence operations.
Authorities further alleged that she intentionally shared information that placed American personnel and their families stationed overseas at risk.
Investigators also accused her of conducting online research and intelligence activities on behalf of the Iranian regime to help identify and target her former colleagues within the U.S. government.
The FBI stated that Witt’s alleged defection benefited the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), an Iranian military organisation involved in intelligence gathering, unconventional warfare, and support for groups accused by the United States of targeting American citizens and interests.
Despite the charges filed against her, Witt remains at large.
Authorities believe she is currently residing in Iran and noted that she speaks Farsi.
The FBI also warned that she may be operating under aliases, including Fatemah Zahra or Narges Witt.
The agency said efforts to locate and apprehend her remain ongoing.
“Monica Witt allegedly betrayed her oath to the Constitution more than a decade ago by defecting to Iran and providing the Iranian regime National Defense Information and likely continues to support their nefarious activities,” said Daniel Wierzbicki.
“The FBI has not forgotten and believes that during this critical moment in Iran’s history, there is someone who knows something about her whereabouts,” he added.
“The FBI wants to hear from you so you can help us apprehend Witt and bring her to justice.”
