Peter Williams, a 39-year-old Australian national and former general manager at a U.S. defense contractor, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to two counts of theft of trade secrets. The charges relate to the sale of his employer’s proprietary software to a Russian cyber-tools broker.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, Williams stole sensitive cyber-exploit components over three years from his employer. These components were intended for exclusive use by the U.S. government and select allies but were instead sold to a Russian broker that markets itself as a reseller of cyber exploits, including to the Russian government.
Each count carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines or twice the financial gain or loss resulting from the offense.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro, joined by Attorney General Pamela Bondi, Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg, and FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Alexander Arnett from the Baltimore Field Office.
“America’s national security is NOT FOR SALE, especially in an evolving threat landscape where cybercrime poses a serious danger to our citizens,” said Attorney General Bondi. “Thank you to all the attorneys who worked so hard to secure this guilty plea.”
U.S. Attorney Pirro stated: “We continue to vigorously investigate those who betray our national security by selling valuable U.S. trade secrets to international cyber brokers who support foreign cyber actors. These international cyber brokers are the next wave of international arms dealers and we continue to be vigilant about their activities. The conduct here caused over $35 million of loss to a company in the District of Columbia and allowed non-allied foreign cyber actors to obtain sophisticated cyber exploits that were likely used against numerous unsuspecting victims.”
Assistant Attorney General Eisenberg added: “Williams betrayed the United States and his employer by first stealing and then selling intelligence-related software to a foreign broker that touted its ties to Russia and other foreign governments. His conduct was deliberate and deceitful, imperiling our national security for the sake of personal gain. Today’s guilty plea reflects our commitment to ensuring that insiders who abuse their positions of trust face serious consequences.”
FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Arnett commented: “Today’s guilty plea is the result of an extensive investigation by the FBI Baltimore Field Office in partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. Peter Williams betrayed the United States and our allies by selling trade secrets. The harm caused by his crimes cannot be undone. The FBI and our partners will aggressively investigate and hold accountable anyone who threatens U.S. national security.”
Court documents state that between 2022 and 2025, Williams accessed secure networks at his workplace without authorization, taking eight protected software components defined as trade secrets under federal law.
He entered into several contracts with a Russian broker involving initial payment for these components as well as additional periodic payments for continued support services related to them. Transactions were conducted through encrypted channels, with proceeds paid in cryptocurrency; Williams reportedly used these funds for high-value purchases.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Baltimore Field Office led the investigation into this case.
Prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tejpal Chawla and Jason McCullough (District of Columbia), Trial Attorney Prava Palacharla (National Security Division Cyber Section), and Trial Attorney Nicholas Hunter (NSD Counterintelligence/Export Control Section). Interim U.S. Attorney Scott Bradford (District of Oregon) also provided significant assistance before assuming his current role.
