The FBI has announced a $200,000 reward for information leading to the capture of Monica Elfriede Witt, a former Air Force counterintelligence specialist who defected to Iran in 2013 and allegedly provided classified national defense information to the regime that now threatens American lives.
Betrayal of Oath and Country
Daniel Wierzbicki, special agent in charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Counterintelligence and Cyber Division, announced the reward Wednesday. The Texas native allegedly violated her oath to the Constitution over a decade ago by defecting to Iran after attending two all-expense-paid conferences that promoted anti-Western propaganda and condemned American values. Before her defection, FBI agents had warned Witt about her activities, but she promised not to share sensitive information if she returned to Iran. That promise proved worthless.
Ongoing Threat to Americans Abroad
According to the federal indictment, Witt placed sensitive and classified national defense information at risk and intentionally provided information that endangered American personnel and their families stationed abroad. She allegedly conducted research on behalf of the Iranian regime to help them target her former colleagues in the United States government. The announcement comes as the United States has been at war with Iran since February 28, suggesting authorities believe current conditions may pressure someone with knowledge of her whereabouts to come forward.
Justice Delayed But Not Forgotten
The FBI emphasized they have not forgotten Witt’s betrayal despite the passage of more than a decade. Authorities believe that during this critical moment in Iran’s history, someone knows her whereabouts and may be willing to provide that information. The $200,000 reward represents federal determination to hold accountable those who betray their country and endanger fellow Americans. Witt allegedly continues to support Iranian activities that threaten American security and constitutional values that veterans like her once swore to defend.