Article Summary –
US sailor, Chief Petty Officer Bryce S. Pedicini, was found guilty of attempted espionage, failure to obey a lawful order and attempted violation of a lawful general order. He was accused of 14 counts of espionage, communication of defense information, and failing to report a foreign contact or that a foreigner had solicited classified information from him. Pedicini was taken into custody in May 2023 for wrongfully transporting classified information, including photographs of a classified screen, which he attempted to transfer to a foreign government.
US Sailor Convicted of Espionage in Japan
On Friday, US sailor Bryce S. Pedicini was found guilty of attempted espionage and failure to obey lawful orders at a general court martial. Pedicini, who served in Japan on the USS Higgins, faces sentencing on May 7, as per a statement from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS).
NCIS Director Omar Lopez expressed satisfaction with the verdict, stating it held Pedicini accountable for betraying his country and comrades. He highlighted that the United States’ adversaries persistently attempt to undermine its military superiority.
Pedicini, a Chief Petty Officer, was accused earlier in the year of 14 counts of espionage and communication of defense information, as well as failing to obey orders by not reporting foreign contacts or solicitations for classified information.
While serving on the Japan-based destroyer USS Higgins, Pedicini was taken into custody in May 2023. He was accused of wrongfully transporting classified information, including photographs of a classified computer screen intended for a foreign government.
The Navy charge sheet indicates Pedicini provided classified information to a foreign government employee on at least six occasions beginning in November 2022 when he was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia. The exact foreign government involved was not specified.
Pedicini, originally from Tennessee, enlisted in the Navy in 2008 and served on two other destroyers throughout his career. He was promoted to the rank of chief fire controlman in August 2022 and received three Good Conduct Medals and the National Defense Service Medal.
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