Key Facts You Need to Know
The Bounty: The FBI Washington Field Office is offering up to $200,000 for tips leading directly to Witt's arrest and conviction.
The Background: Witt served in the U.S. Air Force from 1997 to 2008 as an intelligence specialist and later worked as a defense contractor until 2010. She was trained in Farsi and deployed on highly classified missions in the Middle East.
The Defection: She officially defected to Iran in 2013 after attending conferences that promoted anti-U.S. propaganda. The Iranian government reportedly rewarded her with free housing and computer equipment.
The Charges: Indicted by a federal grand jury in 2019, Witt faces severe espionage charges for sharing Secret and Top Secret U.S. national defense information with the Iranian regime, specifically benefiting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The Damage Done: Witt is accused of exposing the identities of undercover U.S. intelligence agents and helping Tehran target her former American colleagues and their families stationed abroad.
Current Status: Now 47 years old, the Texas native is still believed to be hiding in plain sight within Iran.
Why Now?
While Witt was indicted years ago, the FBI notes that this is a "critical moment" to bring her to justice. Authorities believe that someone, somewhere, holds the key to her exact whereabouts.
Have a tip? The FBI urges anyone with information to contact them at 1-800-CALL-FBI, visit tips.fbi.gov, or reach out to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Consulate.
The FBI has turned up the heat on a decade-long national security case. A $200,000 reward has been officially announced for information leading to the capture and prosecution of Monica Elfriede Witt, a former U.S. Air Force counterintelligence specialist who defected to Iran and allegedly turned on her country. Witt has been on the run since her defection over a decade ago. By renewing their push and putting a massive bounty on her head, federal authorities are sending a clear message: the U.S. government does not forget a betrayal.

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