Ariel Weinmann

Who is Ariel Weinmann?

Petty Officer Ariel Weinmann, formerly a Fire Control Technician 3rd Class, now a Seaman Recruit with the United States Navy plead guilty on 4 December 2006 to espionage, desertion and other charges. His case is notable as an espionage case where the Navy and trial court officials have denied access to basic information, including the court docket. Weinmann was arrested on March 26, 2006 at the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport while traveling from Mexico City, Mexico en route to Vancouver, British Columbia.

Weinmann of Salem, Oregon enlisted in the Navy on July 1, 2003. At the time he deserted he was assigned to the USS Albuquerque, a Los Angeles-class attack submarine. He deserted on July 1, 2005 while his submarine was in port in Groton, Connecticut.

Petty Officer Ariel Weinmann is the only known member of the United States Military convicted of espionage where the United States Government has refused to release the identity of the state the accused is convicted of spying for. This is normally the first fact that is released to the public.

Espionage is defined by the military as providing classified information to a foreign country. There have been conflicting reports about which countries he is accused of spying for. During the trial the foreign country was referred to as Country X and has never been identified, citing security concerns.