US News

US sailor accused of trying to sell secret military documents

A US sailor was under investigation Monday after he allegedly tried to sell classified military information.

Bryan Minkyu Martin, a Navy Reserve Intelligence Specialist 3rd Class, was arrested in Fayetteville, N.C., Wednesday on suspicion that he sold classified military documents to an undercover government agent, Naval Criminal Investigative Services (NCIS) spokesman Paul O’Donnell said.

FBI and NCIS investigators had “a high level of confidence” that no classified documents were delivered to unauthorized persons, said O’Donnell, adding that Martin was being held at the naval brig in Norfolk, Va., pending charges.

An undercover agent posing as a foreign intelligence officer met with Martin in a hotel lobby last month. During the meeting, Martin said he was looking for “long-term financial reimbursement” in exchange for bundles of classified folders, according to a federal search warrant quoted by the Fayetteville Observer.

He allegedly gave the agent dozens of secret and top secret documents and accepted a total of $3,500 over a few meetings.

Martin, 22, signed a counterintelligence brief after he enlisted in 2006 which required him to report to a commanding officer if he was ever approached by a representative of a hostile government, WRAL-TV said. The warrant reportedly claims he never contacted any officers about his meetings with the undercover agent.