The FBI has announced a reward of $200,000 for information leading to the capture of Monica Witt, a former U.S. service member and counterintelligence agent. Witt was indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2019 on espionage charges, including the transmission of national defense information to the Iranian government.
Witt, who served in the U.S. Air Force from 1997 to 2008 and later as a government contractor until 2010, had access to classified information due to her military background. According to the FBI, in 2013, she defected to Iran and allegedly provided sensitive information to the Iranian government, which could endanger U.S. personnel and their families abroad. The indictment claims that her actions have aided the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), known for its involvement in intelligence collection and support for terrorist organizations.
Despite the charges against her, Witt remains at large and is believed to reside in Iran. She reportedly speaks Farsi and may be using aliases, including Fatemah Zahra and Narges Witt. The FBI is actively seeking her capture, stating that they believe there are individuals who may have information about her whereabouts.
FBI officials emphasized the importance of public assistance in locating Witt, urging anyone with information to contact the agency or local law enforcement. The case underscores ongoing concerns about national security and the potential risks posed by individuals who may share classified information with foreign entities.