US federal prosecutors accuse Jack Teixeira of owning ‘multiple guns’

US federal prosecutors alleged that 21-year-old Jack Teixeira, who has been charged with leaking top American military secrets, owns "multiple guns, including a high-capacity AK-style weapon."

Teixeira, who is an IT specialist with the US Air National Guard, appeared in federal court on Thursday, where federal prosecutors argued he should remain in custody because he poses "a danger to the community...and an ongoing risk" to America's national security and should remain in jail until his trial.

He appeared in US District Court in Worcester, Massachusetts, on Thursday afternoon for his detention hearing, according to Reuters. The hearing lasted more than an hour.

"Some of the information he" is accused of taking "he actually copied," US Magistrate David Hennessy said. "If I write something, I’m going to remember it reasonably well."

Hennessy, however, declined to rule on whether Teixeira should be released into the custody of his father pending his criminal trial.

Hennessy ordered the court into recess after listening to arguments for and against Teixeira's continued detention in federal custody.

The US Justice Department has said that Teixeira might still have access to classified documents and that what it called "hostile" nations could help him escape if he is released from prison.

Teixeira was arrested by the FBI on April 13 at his home in Massachusetts and charged with violating the Espionage Act. He was charged with two counts that carry maximum prison sentences of 10 years and five years.

Prosecutors said Teixeira leaked classified documents, including some relating to troop movements in the Russia-Ukraine war, to a group of gamers on the messaging app Discord.

The documents posted online unveiled the Pentagon’s concern over Ukraine's military capacity against invading Russian forces, and showed the US had apparently spied on allies Israel and South Korea.

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Prosecutors said the 21-year-old had destroyed evidence in the case and they also pointed to his history of making violent threats online, saying he should be detained pending trial because he is a flight risk and poses a threat.

In a filing late on Wednesday, prosecutors said Teixeira, who lived with his mother and stepfather, kept a gun locker two feet from his bed, which contained handguns, bolt-action rifles and a military-style rifle with a high-capacity magazine.

"The defendant undoubtedly poses a danger to the US at large based on his ability to cause exceptionally grave danger to the US national security," according to a motion filed by the office of US Attorney Rachael Rollins. "However, there is also evidence to suggest that the defendant may also pose a physical danger to the community."

Journalist denounces trial of Teixeira and firing of Fox News pundit 

In a post on Wednesday, Simon Ateba, chief White House correspondent for Today News Africa in Washington, denounced the arrest and trial of Teixeira as well as the firing of Fox News pundit Tucker Carlson by its network earlier this week. 

“Imagine a world where we all claim we want the truth. Then Julian Assange leaks the truth, and we jail him for many years. Jack Teixeira leaks the truth, and we arrest him, try him and say that truth was classified,” he wrote.  

“Tucker Carlson speaks the truth as the world moves toward World War 3, we call it lies, Russian propaganda and go after him, when we all know that no one wins those wars and there is no glory in the grave, no life in the graveyard, only billions of dollars for the military-industrial complex.

Many people claim to be seeking the truth, but in reality, all they do is to become tools for the propaganda,” he added.  

“They come to Washington vowing the drain the swamps but they get so comfortable that they just become part of it. Now, they are flying with the President on Air Force One, they are live on Sundays shows, they wear nice suits, eat at cool restaurants, go to the gym, do yoga and meet beautiful people at happy hours as they drink champagne. How can they abandon that new lifestyle?” he asked.

“Speaking the truth now means they will embarrass their new friends who will ban them from their circle. And so they conform,” he explained.

“People who watch them see it. They've become part of the elite and don't give a f… about the people anymore. The people then turn their backs and begin to watch people like Tucker Carlson. With no viewership, they begin to slander him, brand him a liar, a racist, a Russian hack,” he noted.

Carlson was ousted from Fox News this week in a shocking move that continues to ripple through the US media industry. Fox has given no reason for its parting ways with Carlson beyond a statement thanking him for contributions to the network.

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