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Monica Elfriede Witt: 5 things to know on defector US Air Force agent accused of being Iran spy
Former US Air Force agent Monica Elfriede Witt, alleged to have defected to Iran in 2013, is back in the news as the FBI offers a $200,000 reward for information leading to her capture. The agency notes the capture could be useful at a critical moment in Iran’s history, and the case against Witt was pursued in US courts from 2012 to 2015 for allegedly leaking national defense information.
Why It Matters
The reward and ongoing case underscore U.S. counterintelligence concerns involving Iran and highlight how such allegations intersect with national defense information and justice processes.
Timeline
4 Events
FBI offers reward for Witt's capture
May 14, 2026
The FBI announced a $200,000 reward for information leading to Witt's capture; Daniel Wierzbicki, special agent in charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Counterintelligence and Cyber Division, said the capture could be useful at a 'critical moment in Iran’s history.'
Prosecutors allege leaks related to national defense
May 2015
Prosecutors alleged that Witt leaked documents and information relating to the national defense of the United States.
Alleged defection to Iran
2013
Witt allegedly defected to Iran.
Case first reached US courts
January 2012
The Witt case first reached the US courts.