Contractor at Army Special Operations Command Arrested Over Alleged Classified Leaks
NORTH CAROLINA — A former contractor supporting security and emergency management at U.S. Army Special Operations Command faces federal charges. Prosecutors allege James Thomas Ashbacher shared classified material from his Fort Bragg workplace online.
Supporting special operations requires more than a clearance. The same care that protects a facility must extend to its information and equipment. — POC
The FBI arrested Ashbacher, 37, of Spring Lake, on October 27, 2026. The Justice Department announced the case on October 30. An indictment unsealed on the arrest date charges unlawful transmission and retention of national defense information, plus theft of government property.
Security Work at Army Special Operations Command
Ashbacher worked for a private company at the command’s Fort Bragg facility beginning around 2021. His position required a Top Secret clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information access. That access forms a central part of the allegations against him.
Prosecutors allege he removed classified photographs and videos without authorization and posted material on a social media site. Other users then reposted the material elsewhere. Afterward, he allegedly asked a user to remove some posts, describing an effort at damage control.
Videos and Missing Equipment
Military Times reported on November 2 that the alleged collection of classified material occurred between 2021 and March 2024. The filing describes 10 videos containing sensitive operational information, including unit procedures and call signs.
Separately, that reporting dates a search of Ashbacher’s home to April 30, 2025. Agents allegedly recovered night-vision goggles that an Army unit had reported missing. The Justice Department also says investigators found a classified award write-up containing national defense information.
Charges Remain Allegations
The FBI’s Charlotte Field Office leads the investigation with Army Criminal Investigation Division assistance. However, officials have not publicly identified the employer or social media platforms in these reports.
An indictment does not establish guilt. Ashbacher remains presumed innocent unless prosecutors prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt in court.