A grand jury indicted Annapolis-based naval nuclear engineer Jonathan Toebbe in the spy case in October 2021. He is accused of trying to sell top-secret information about nuclear-powered submarines to a foreign government.
He formally pleaded guilty on Monday. And is charged with one count of conspiracy to communicate restricted data. As well as two counts of “communication of restricted data.”
The 42-year-old suspect and his 45-year-old wife allegedly believed they were dealing with foreign operatives. But actually, the FBI had intercepted his communications and was communicating with Toebbe.
The would-be spy will be sentenced to 12.5 years to 17.5 years in prison. And will also be restricted from any contact with foreign governments.
Through his job, Toebbe had access to US nuclear secrets. And all of the memory cards allegedly passed to the FBI contain data, plans, and designs of Virginia-class nuclear submarines. And under the plea deal, he will also help federal officials to locate all classified information and restricted data he owns.
