US cracks 'deep-cover' Russia spy mission, arrests 10

[Drew]

WASHINGTON — The United States has arrested 10 alleged spies accused of carrying out "deep-cover assignments" for years for the Russian intelligence services, officials said Monday.

An 11th suspect remains at large, the justice department said as it revealed the shocking developments only days after US President Barack Obama praised his visiting Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev as a "solid and reliable partner."

The arrests were made in several northeastern states following a multi-year investigation by the Justice Department, the FBI and New York state authorities.

"Eight individuals were arrested Sunday for allegedly carrying out long-term, 'deep-cover' assignments in the United States on behalf of the Russian Federation," a Justice Department statement said.

"Two additional defendants were also arrested Sunday for allegedly participating in the same Russian intelligence program within the United States."

A total of 11 defendants are "charged in two separate criminal complaints with conspiring to act as unlawful agents of the Russian Federation within the United States," it said.

Nine also face charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

The arrests were made in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and in northern Virginia, just outside the US capital Washington, following what the Justice Department described as a "multi-year" investigation in coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The charges of acting as an agent of a foreign government carry a maximum of five years in prison, while the conspiracy to commit money laundering carries a maximum penalty of 20 years behind bars.

The arrest came only three days after Obama quipped it was time to cut off Cold War-era emergency hotlines at a cordial Washington summit with Medvedev as the pair sought to cement their "reset" in national security ties.

Obama and Medvedev munched burgers and strolled outside the White House together in images carefully choreographed for the cameras.

The US leader even praised Medvedev as a "solid and reliable partner" and added, "we listen to one another and we speak candidly."


I'm curious what jobs these people held and what their end goals were. I wonder if we'll find out.

[Drew]

From the BBC:



In a statement, the justice department said the suspects had been arrested following an investigation lasting several years.

Five will appear later on Monday in a Manhattan federal court - a couple known as "Richard Murphy" and "Cynthia Murphy", who were arrested in Montclair, New Jersey; Vicky Pelaez and a man known as "Juan Lazaro," who were arrested in Yonkers, New York state; and Anna Chapman, who was arrested in Manhattan.

Another three - Mikhail Semenko and a couple known as "Michael Zottoli" and "Patricia Mills" - will appear in the federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, after being arrested at their homes in Arlington.

The final two people - known as "Donald Howard Heathfield" and "Tracey Lee Ann Foley" - were arrested in Boston and will appear in a federal court in the city.

A suspect known as "Christopher R Metsos" remains at large.

[Celephais]

I'm surprised at how short of a sentence they could get, 5 years? I thought spying was akin to treason, and carried some severe penalties.

[caelric]

Even allies spy on each other. I hope no one is surprised by this.

[TheEschaton]

I guess "being an agent of a foreign government" is kind of the catch-all for being a spy when you have no way to prove more serious things, like passing state secrets (which is treason).

-TheE-

[Archigeek]

Maybe the penalty for aspiring is lower than the penalty for actually carrying out spying? 5 years seems kind of low. I find the timing to be interesting too; it definitely sends a signal after all that lovey dovey stuff.

[Androidpk]

Even allies spy on each other. I hope no one is surprised by this.

Pretty much. Business as usual.

[Kembal]

I'm surprised at how short of a sentence they could get, 5 years? I thought spying was akin to treason, and carried some severe penalties.

Think it depends on whether you actually pass classified information, and whether you were a U.S. citizen to begin with. (not sure these guys were)

[Stanley Burrell]

The article is like 30 years late for attention whoring.

[Durgrimst]

Even allies spy on each other. I hope no one is surprised by this.

The French are America's longest ally, and have stolen the most secrets from us when compared to all the other countries.

Also as a side note, if the government is smart, they will not release what these people are after. Might give more people ideas.

[Sean]

Apparently 2 of them lived in my town

http://www.baristanet.com/2010/06/surprise_montclairs_alleged_ru.php

[Kuyuk]

Not surprised. I would wager we have spies in damn near every country.

[Caiylania]

Hollywood wouldn't have nearly as much fun if this stuff didn't REALLY happen now and then. :D

On a serious note, I think the punishment should have been far worse. People get more for carrying pot around.

[WRoss]

I'm surprised at how short of a sentence they could get, 5 years? I thought spying was akin to treason, and carried some severe penalties.

I think the law serves as reason to arrest someone to prevent treason and make a bigger case against them. Now that they are out of their network and in custody, I'd expect a more in depth investigation to take place and possible new charges to be filed against them. It does sort of remind me of how many mobsters were charged with tax evasion as opposed to the 100's of other crimes they were suspected of committing.

[Celephais]

I think the law serves as reason to arrest someone to prevent treason and make a bigger case against them. Now that they are out of their network and in custody, I'd expect a more in depth investigation to take place and possible new charges to be filed against them. It does sort of remind me of how many mobsters were charged with tax evasion as opposed to the 100's of other crimes they were suspected of committing.

Right, that would make sense. I was just a little surprised to see what I figured was pretty much a sure death sentence be just a 5 year bid.

... Isn't that kid who leaked all that shit to wiki-leaks getting off easy too? When I was a kid you got shot by the president on the white house lawn for treason.

[Drew]

... Isn't that kid who leaked all that shit to wiki-leaks getting off easy too? When I was a kid you got shot by the president on the white house lawn for treason.


http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2010/06/18/wikileaks/index.html

[Gnomad]

Apparently 2 of them lived in my town

http://www.baristanet.com/2010/06/surprise_montclairs_alleged_ru.php

what the fuck

that's my town, not yours

[Celephais]

http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2010/06/18/wikileaks/index.html

I read most of that, but had to start skimming, I've been reading a few of the followup articles about the source leaking stuff as details were coming out (mostly just through dailytech, which is hardly a news source), that article was very informative, thanks. The problem it had was that it, like others, hasn't really addressed the charges pressed (maybe they haven't been fully realized yet?), is 'death penalty' treason off the table? I mean... leaking sensitive classified information in a time of war as a US soldier seems to be the top of the list, although the kid is for some reason getting shown as a hero, which may be the case for something like releasing info on a specific cover-up, but he released a ton of communiques that there is no way he vetted.

[Fallen]

On a somewhat related topic, I recently did an OPSEC briefing online where it stated something to the effect of, "The United States is the only country in the world which does not pass on information to the private sector." It was better worded, but basically meant that when we spy on foreign companies, we don't pass the info onto our private sector equivalents.

Do you guys believe/agree with that?

[Celephais]

Um... agree with it? I don't have a clue what the US does with technology secrets or if the info is passed onto companies like Boeing. I wouldn't be surprised either way.

I think they US should if that's what you're asking.

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

On a somewhat related topic, I recently did an OPSEC briefing online where it stated something to the effect of, "The United States is the only country in the world which does not pass on information to the private sector." It was better worded, but basically meant that when we spy on foreign companies, we don't pass the info onto our private sector equivalents.

Do you guys believe/agree with that?

I believe that. Even people with secret and top secret clearance working in the private sector are only cleared to be given information 'as needed' and only on specific projects they are working on. Having a high clearance level doesn't grant a ton of access to anything that isn't directly pertaining to that person.

[Stanley Burrell]

On a somewhat related topic, I recently did an OPSEC briefing online where it stated something to the effect of, "The United States is the only country in the world which does not pass on information to the private sector." It was better worded, but basically meant that when we spy on foreign companies, we don't pass the info onto our private sector equivalents.

Do you guys believe/agree with that?

I have been briefed to believe that I believe that. I can also have great angst that my job hasn't given me a USB mouse (I am touchpad retarded when it comes to laptops.) And I also believe that if I bring any USB mouse or device that isn't issued from my job, I believe that I can inadvertently get myself, as well as someone who's worked in either of my units ... for 300 years ... fired.

Fortunately, in the interests of national security, when it comes to the private sector, providing intel from one of our foreign intelligence-gathering domains can be done by simply working around litigation. And legally uphold what you quoted. So I am obliged, on the merit of my own spacial intelligence, to technically believe it 110%.

[Androidpk]

On a somewhat related topic, I recently did an OPSEC briefing online where it stated something to the effect of, "The United States is the only country in the world which does not pass on information to the private sector." It was better worded, but basically meant that when we spy on foreign companies, we don't pass the info onto our private sector equivalents.

Do you guys believe/agree with that?

Something like that wouldn't be public knowledge so who's to know if we do or not. I would bet that Google received some sort of help from the Feds after the Chinese cyber attack.

[Gan]

The ginger spy is fucking hot...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2010/06/30/GA2010063003620.html

http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/mp/kAoObT75tvJl.jpg

[Celephais]

The ginger spy is fucking hot...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2010/06/30/GA2010063003620.html

Thank you for sharing that. Now let us all offer these images up in hopes that Wezas shall return to us.

[Drew]

Yeah when I first saw those WP pics of the ginger spy I was like "It's a Revalos avatar!"

[Celephais]

A hot Russian chick! Where's Solkern to claim he dated her!

[Nieninque]

10 Russian spies caught posing in the USA as civil servants. 11 English wankers caught in South Africa posing as footballers.

[Gan]

Don't you mean kickballers?

[Derekl33]

So I just heard we're trading the 10 Russian spies we have in custody for 11 American spies the Russians have. I heard also the spies we have caught have to plead guilty. Don't tell me that's all that will be done about this? Anyone heard anything else about this lately?

[Gan]

Quid pro quo.

10 for 11 is not a bad deal. ;)

[Celephais]

... Can I keep one?

[Gan]

Dibs on the ginger.

She's worth 2 or 3 if you ask me...

[Drevihyin]

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/riverduck/6d3a7df53a5008111c06c62c7bda1ba2.jpg



http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/riverduck/ana-chapman-spy-20.jpg



http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/riverduck/ana-chapman-spy-68.jpg


http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/riverduck/anna_chapman-new-york.jpg

[Drevihyin]

http://www.anorak.co.uk/253004/in-pictures-2/anna-chapman-nsfw.html?pid=23564#img

This link has a topless picture but I can't open it from work.

[Celephais]

http://www.anorak.co.uk/253004/in-pictures-2/anna-chapman-nsfw.html?pid=23564#img

This link has a topless picture but I can't open it from work.

Great googly moogly... Thank you so much internet.

[Kuyuk]

Host it on beerzombie hmm? ;-)

[Celephais]

Host it on beerzombie hmm? ;-)

Done (scroll to bottom, click spyboob link).