Former U.S. Navy Officer Detained for Attempting to Spy for Russia

Dec. 6, 2012

Hoffman, 39, is set to remain in custody until a detention hearing on Tuesday.

A former U.S. Navy officer has been detained for attempting to hand over secret information on tracking U.S. submarines to Russian intelligence.

CNN reported Thursday that submarine specialist Robert Patrick Hoffman II was detained Thursday morning in Virginia Beach, Virginia, while trying to pass classified information to CIA operatives posing as Russian agents.

The classified documents "pertained to methods to track U.S. submarines, including the technology and procedures required," the U.S. cable news channel reported, citing a court indictment.

It was not immediately clear whether Hoffman, a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Navy who retired in November 2011, sought financial compensation for the materials, the report said.

Hoffman, 39, is set to remain in custody until a detention hearing on Tuesday. He faces up to life imprisonment on charges of attempted espionage.

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