Theft Of Documents Crucial To National Security Earns Tampa Man Prison

TAMPA, FL — A retired Air Force lieutenant colonel living in Tampa has been sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to stealing classified documents that could put the security of the United States at risk.

U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle sentenced Robert L. Birchum, 55, Tampa, to federal prison for unlawfully possessing and retaining classified documents related to the country's national defense. The court also ordered Birchum to pay a fine of $25,000.

Birchum pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing and retaining classified documents relating to the national defense of the United States on Feb. 21. According to the plea agreement, while serving as a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force for 29 years, Birchum served in various intelligience positions, including those requiring him to work with classified intelligence information for the Joint Special Operations Command, the Special Operations Command and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

While on active duty, Birchum entered into several agreements with the Air Force vowing to properly handle and protect classified documents.

In 2017, however, law enforcement officers discovered that Birchum removed more than 300 classified files or documents, including more than 30 items marked "Top Secret," and kept these classified materials in his home, his overseas officer’s quarters and a storage pod in his driveway.

Related: Top-Secret National Defense Files Taken By Tampa Man: U.S. Attorney

In particular, the Department of Justice said Birchum possessed two documents on a thumb drive found in his home that contained information relating to the National Security Agency’s capabilities and methods of collecting and targeting vulnerabilities. Both of these documents were classified as "Top Secret/SCI," and their unauthorized release could have caused "exceptionally grave damage" to the national security of the United States, said the DOJ.

“The unauthorized removal of highly sensitive documents by the defendant in this case posed great risk to our national security,” said U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg. “We are grateful for our law enforcement partners who work diligently to keep our nation safe every day.”

“A goal of the FBI’s counterintelligence program is to protect the secrets of the U.S. intelligence community. This sentencing illustrates the bureau’s commitment and perseverance in pursuing those individuals who knowingly jeopardize our nation’s security,” said FBI Tampa Special Agent in Charge David Walker.

The U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the FBI investigated the case.