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Former Special Forces Captain Peter Rafael Dzibinski Debbins plead guilty to charges of espionage on Wednesday after being caught spying on behalf of Russian intelligence services from Dec. 1996-Jan. 2011.

During this same period, it is alleged that Debbins traveled to Russia on multiple occasions where he met with intelligence agents, developed a codename, and signed a document declaring his willingness to support Russia. These visits occurred before Debbins enlisted with the Army for active duty. Debbins reportedly has close ties to Russia as his mother is a former citizen of the Soviet Union.

Prior to being selected for the Green Berets, Debbins worked as an active-duty Army officer on chemical units from 1998-2005. According to the Department of Justice, Debbins did not apply to the Army as an officer out of his volition. Rather, Debbins was persuaded by Russian intelligence to do so. The investment paid off as Debbins eventually earned secret and top-secret security clearances over the course of his career, giving him access to highly sensitive information of grave importance to the United States.

Throughout his period as an active-duty servicemember, Debbins gave compromising information to Russian agents regarding fellow servicemembers in the Special Forces and chemical unit. Russian intelligence reportedly wanted Special Forces member details to see if they could find another willing candidate to spy on their behalf.

“Debbins today acknowledged that he violated this country’s highest trust by passing sensitive national security information to the Russians,” said John C. Demers, Assistant Attorney General for National Security.  “Debbins betrayed his oath, his country, and his Special Forces team members with the intent to harm the United States and help Russia.  Debbins’s guilty plea represents another success in the Department’s continuing effort to counter the national security threat posed by our nation’s adversaries, including Russia.”

Debbins is set to undergo sentencing in Alexandria, VA., on Feb. 26 before a federal judge where he could spend the rest of his life behind bars.

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