A noted scientist who once worked for the White House National Space Council pleaded guilty Wednesday to attempted espionage for providing classified information to a person he believed to be an Israeli intelligence officer.
Stewart David Nozette, 54, of Chevy Chase, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted espionage. The plea agreement, which is subject to the judge’s approval, calls for an agreed-upon prison term of 13 years.
Nozette has been in custody since his arrest on Oct. 19. FBI agents arrested him following an undercover operation in which he provided classified materials on three occasions, prosecutors said.
Nozette was once a trusted scientist, maintained a high-level security clearance and had access to secrets of national defense, said U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr.
“Today he is a disgraced criminal who was caught red-handed attempting to trade secrets for personal profit,” Machen said.
