The U.S. soldier who officers say was entrusted with delicate data and was arrested in the UK on suspicion of spying for Russia is 41-year-old Lt. Col. Brandon Tyner, in keeping with a supply conversant in the investigation.
Tyner, 41, was taken into custody Tuesday close to Gloucester, England, as a part of a British counterterrorism investigation, in keeping with U.S. and British officers. U.S. Military officers mentioned the officer had been entrusted with delicate data.
ABC Information has not been capable of attain Tyner. It’s unclear if he has retained a lawyer.
The doorway to the Imjin Barracks of NATO’s Allied Speedy Response Corps (ARRC), the alliance’s multinational, high-readiness navy headquarters led by the British Military, is proven within the city of Gloucester, western England, on Nov. 11, 2026.
Adrian Dennis/AFP through Getty Pictures
Tyner was assigned to Imjin Barracks in the UK, a navy garrison that’s dwelling to the headquarters of NATO’s Allied Speedy Response Corps, which manages plans for floor troops in case of a disaster.
Tyner’s identification was first reported by the Wall Avenue Journal.
Tyner, an Afghanistan battle veteran, has held quite a few high-profile personnel assignments all through his greater than two-decade Military profession, in keeping with a LinkedIn account matching his title. British legislation enforcement officers mentioned the investigation includes suspected violations of the Nationwide Safety Act of 2023, a legislation geared toward combating espionage and international interference.
It stays unclear precisely what Tyner is accused of doing. He’s anticipated to be formally charged by British authorities within the coming days and subsequently face separate costs from the U.S. Military, in keeping with a supply conversant in the matter.
U.S. troops convicted of crimes in allied international locations can serve jail sentences overseas earlier than dealing with separate prosecution within the American navy justice system, in keeping with Military courtroom data, which, may imply a second trial and, if convicted, a further sentence in a U.S. navy jail.
U.S. troops convicted of espionage-related crimes have usually been junior or mid-level service members, in keeping with Military information, with monetary acquire a typical motive. Instances involving senior officers are much less widespread, and people ranks usually have higher entry to delicate navy data that might be notably beneficial to international adversaries, although it is unclear what particular data Tyner had entry to.
Brig. Gen. Sean Stinchon, who leads U.S. Military Counterintelligence Command, mentioned in an announcement following the arrest that the case is, “a sobering reminder that insider threats are actual and chronic.”
