Former US Defense Contractor Sentenced to Over a Decade for Attempted Espionage with Russia
Former US Defense Contractor Sentenced to Over a Decade for Attempted Espionage with Russia
A 67-year-old South Dakota man has been sentenced to over ten years in federal prison for attempting to provide classified U.S. Air Force information to the Russian government. The U.S. Department of Justice announced Monday that John Murray Rowe of Lead, South Dakota, received a 126-month prison term, followed by three years of supervised release and a $25,000 fine for attempted espionage.
Rowe, who pleaded guilty in April 2024, was initially charged in December 2021. His conviction stems from one count of attempted delivery of national defense information to a foreign government and three counts of willful communication of national defense information.
According to court documents, Rowe spent nearly 40 years as a test engineer for various defense contractors, holding high-level positions related to U.S. Air Force electronic warfare technology. He was terminated after multiple security violations and expressing concerning inquiries about Russia and sensitive information, identifying him as a potential insider threat.
In March 2020, Rowe engaged with an undercover FBI agent, whom he believed to be a Russian operative, expressing disloyalty to the United States and a desire to assist Russia. During this interaction, he disclosed classified national defense information concerning specific operating details of U.S. military fighter jet electronic countermeasure systems.
Over the subsequent eight months, Rowe exchanged more than 300 emails with the supposed Russian agent, reiterating his willingness to work for the Russian government and discussing his knowledge of classified national security information. He was quoted saying, “If I can’t get a job [in the United States] then I’ll go work for the other team,” and continued to disclose classified details about the U.S. Air Force.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg emphasized, “The defendant spent decades working on sensitive U.S. defense programs and was entrusted with safeguarding protected and classified information about military technology. Instead of honoring that trust… he chose to violate both – repeatedly and willfully attempting to disclose classified information to someone he believed was a foreign agent.”
Rowe’s attempts to compromise national security continued even after his arrest on December 15, 2021, as he was caught disclosing the same classified information to relatives and an associate during recorded prison calls. U.S. Attorney David Metcalf for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania stated, “His repeated, willful efforts to harm the U.S. by divulging sensitive defense information to an adversary are inexcusable.” The FBI’s Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky added that Rowe “endangered American lives and compromised U.S. national security,” underscoring that the FBI will pursue those who violate their oath to safeguard classified information.
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