NSA Takeout
GREENBELT // A former National Security Agency employee admitted to backing his pickup truck up to an unguarded exit and hauling away boxes of classified material, an FBI agent testified yesterday.
The former NSA employee, Kenneth Ford, made the admission during a raid on his Waldorf home, FBI agent Michael Thompson testified. Thompson, the first witness called in Ford's trial, said he was "surprised" to find the classified materials in Ford's home, but said, "I don't recall Mr. Ford reacting."
Prosecutors said they raided the home after receiving a tip from Ford's girlfriend, Tanya Tucker.
Ford told the agents he was using the documents as reference material for a new job. The former NSA employee is charged with illegally possessing classified materials and making false statements while trying to obtain security clearance.
Defense attorney Spencer Hecht said in opening statements that the case was not as simple as the prosecutor said. Noting the strict security policies in place at the NSA, Hecht told jurors the case was about the "feasibility and possibility that Ford could have taken them."
The defense attorney also said he would show a link between the girlfriend and the NSA. By the end of the trial, jurors will come to the conclusion "that something here just isn't right, something here just doesn't make sense and there's a whole lot more to this story."
As the trial started in U.S. District Court yesterday, the judge warned jurors the conduct of the case would be unusual because of the classified nature of much of the evidence.
For example, jurors would not be allowed to discuss much of what they would hear even after the trial is over, said Judge Peter J. Messitte. He said they also would "hear" testimony from so-called silent witnesses who would point to significant sections of classified documents the jury would be handed, but would not talk about those sections in open court.
Ford, 34, faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison on the charges, prosecutors said.
The former NSA employee, Kenneth Ford, made the admission during a raid on his Waldorf home, FBI agent Michael Thompson testified. Thompson, the first witness called in Ford's trial, said he was "surprised" to find the classified materials in Ford's home, but said, "I don't recall Mr. Ford reacting."
Prosecutors said they raided the home after receiving a tip from Ford's girlfriend, Tanya Tucker.
Ford told the agents he was using the documents as reference material for a new job. The former NSA employee is charged with illegally possessing classified materials and making false statements while trying to obtain security clearance.
Defense attorney Spencer Hecht said in opening statements that the case was not as simple as the prosecutor said. Noting the strict security policies in place at the NSA, Hecht told jurors the case was about the "feasibility and possibility that Ford could have taken them."
The defense attorney also said he would show a link between the girlfriend and the NSA. By the end of the trial, jurors will come to the conclusion "that something here just isn't right, something here just doesn't make sense and there's a whole lot more to this story."
As the trial started in U.S. District Court yesterday, the judge warned jurors the conduct of the case would be unusual because of the classified nature of much of the evidence.
For example, jurors would not be allowed to discuss much of what they would hear even after the trial is over, said Judge Peter J. Messitte. He said they also would "hear" testimony from so-called silent witnesses who would point to significant sections of classified documents the jury would be handed, but would not talk about those sections in open court.
Ford, 34, faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison on the charges, prosecutors said.
posted by professor rat at 9:10 AM
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