The FBI arrested a 42-year-old Washington, D.C., man on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, accusing him of unlawfully sharing classified national defense information with a journalist who allegedly intended to publish it.

Ian A. Brinksman, a former contractor who provided services to the CIA, was charged with unlawfully transmitting national defense information, according to the Justice Department. He held a top-secret security clearance with access to sensitive compartmented information.

Prosecutors allege Brinksman accessed classified reports beyond the scope of his duties and passed information to a romantic partner who operates a publication on Substack. Investigators cited communications, records of classified database access and published articles that allegedly contained information similar to reports Brinksman had accessed.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe said the agency referred the case to the FBI. The arrest followed a search of Brinksman’s residence, according to federal authorities.