The New York Times has been considered the first news outlet publishing news that the FBI secretly arrested & charged a contractor of National Security Agency in the last week of August on allegedly stealing and for hiding computer codes related to a potential hacking program. This hacking program was supposedly designed to break the network systems of confrontational foreign governments including Russia, North Korea and China. The authorities have confirmed that the NSA contractor Harold Thomas Martin has been arrested for stealing and not disclosing sensitive materials. Martin was charged on 29th August 2016 for stealing government property and illegal removal & holding classified materials by a contractor or employee of the government.
Department of Justice confirmed that a man resident of Maryland has been taken into custody for stealing secret & sensitive information. A search warrant was executed on 27th August 2016 at the residence of Martin in Glen Burnie, Maryland. The investigators have discovered $1,000 and sensitive paper documents and digital information stored at multiple devices including removable digital media. He will be charged with “holding of secret materials by a government contractor of employee. Point to be noted that FBI refused to comment on this case, but if Martin found guilty for the allegations, then he will face 1 year for holding classified materials and 10 years for stealing government property.