Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Donavan K. Patubo/U.S. Navy
This photo from the U.S. Navy shows the USS Higgins in Yokosuka, Japan, November 2022.
CNN
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An American sailor serving in Japan was found guilty Friday by a general court-martial of attempted espionage, disobeying a lawful order, and attempted violation of a lawful general order.
The sailor, Chief Petty Officer Bryce S. Pedisini, will be sentenced on May 7, according to a release from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.
“With this conviction, Mr. Pedicini will be held accountable for his betrayal of his country and his fellow service members,” NCIS Director Omar Lopez said in a statement. “America’s adversaries are relentless in their efforts to reduce America’s military advantage.”
Pedicini was arrested earlier this year for espionage and the passing on of defense information, in addition to failure to comply with legal orders, including failing to report contacts with foreign nationals and foreign nationals requesting classified information from Pedicini. He was charged with 14 crimes.
He was assigned to the Japan-based destroyer USS Higgins (DDG-76).
CNN has reached out to the Navy Judge Advocate General’s Office for comment from Pedicini’s attorney.
Mr. Pedicini was detained in May 2023 while serving on the USS Higgins for unlawfully transporting information he knew was classified, according to the Navy indictment. Navy prosecutors said it also included photos of classified computer screens that he tried to transfer to foreign governments.
According to the Navy’s indictment, Pedicini provided classified information to citizens and foreign government officials on at least six occasions starting in November 2022 while stationed in Norfolk, Virginia. The indictment does not specify which foreign government.
Pedicini, a Tennessee native, joined the Navy in 2008, according to Navy records. During his career he also served on two of his other destroyers. He served on the USS McFall for nearly seven years and on the USS Curtis Wilbur for more than five years. He was promoted to Chief Fire Controller in August 2022. According to records, he received his three Good Conduct Medals and the National Defense Medal.
CNN’s Natasha Bertrand and Oren Liebermann contributed to this report.
