Peter Williams, a 39-year-old Australian national, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to two counts of theft of trade secrets for illegally selling his employer’s sensitive national-security software to a Russian cyber-tools broker.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, alongside U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg, and FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Alexander Arnett.
Details of the Crime
Williams, who was employed at a U.S. defense contractor, stole the material over a three-year period, spanning from approximately 2022 through 2025. The stolen material included national-security focused software and at least eight sensitive and protected cyber-exploit components. These components were intended for exclusive sale to the U.S. government and select allies.
The defendant admitted to improperly using his access to the defense contractor’s secure network to steal the trade secrets. He then resold these components for the promise of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency, entering into multiple written contracts with the Russian broker for the initial sale and follow-on support. He transferred the components through encrypted means and used the illicit proceeds to purchase high-value items for himself.
National Security Concerns
The Russian cyber-tools broker is known to publicly advertise itself as a reseller of cyber exploits to various customers, including the Russian government.
U.S. Attorney Pirro stated that the conduct caused over $35 million in loss to the District of Columbia-based company and, critically, “allowed non-allied foreign cyber actors to obtain sophisticated cyber exploits that were likely used against numerous unsuspecting victims.” She likened these brokers to “the next wave of international arms dealers.”
“America’s national security is NOT FOR SALE,” declared Attorney General Bondi, emphasizing the serious danger cybercrime poses in the current threat landscape.
Assistant Attorney General Eisenberg commented on Williams’ actions, calling them “deliberate and deceitful,” and stressing that Williams “imperiling our national security for the sake of personal gain.” FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Arnett added that Williams “betrayed the United States and our allies by selling trade secrets. The harm caused by his crimes cannot be undone.”
Penalties
Each of the two charges of theft of trade secrets carries a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the pecuniary gain or loss of the offense.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Baltimore Field Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tejpal Chawla and Jason McCullough for the District of Columbia, and Trial Attorneys from the National Security Division’s National Security Cyber Section and Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
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