US gov IT worker pleads guilty to sending Top Secret files to Ethiopia
Abraham Teklu Lemma, a naturalized US citizen, admitted to espionage charges after sending sensitive files to Ethiopia while holding positions across multiple US agencies including the National Reconnaissance Office, State Department, and Justice Department. Lemma held 'downdraft' authority allowing movement of classified files between systems and worked in a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility. He faces 120 to 262 months imprisonment for the offenses committed while employed as both an IT help desk technician and contract analyst.
Key points
- IT specialist transmitted classified docs to Ethiopia 2021-2023
- Held Top Secret clearance, worked for NRO, State, and Justice Depts
- Possessed 'downdraft' access to move classified materials
- Pleaded guilty; sentencing range 120–262 months
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