The US Department of Justice (DOJ) [official website] announced [press release] Tuesday that a former CIA officer has been charged with unauthorized possession of classified material and conspiracy to commit espionage.

In the indictment by a federal grand jury in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia [official website], Jerry Chun Shing Lee is believed to have helped Chinese intelligence dismantle a spy network from the US, which led to the imprisonment and death of informants.

In an announcement of the charges, Assistant Attorney General of National Security John Demers [official profile] stated:

When government officials violate their oath to defend our nation and protect its secrets, the National Security Division will hold them accountable. Lee’s alleged actions betrayed the American people and his former colleagues at the CIA. We will not tolerate such threats to our country or its national security.

Lee was arrested [press release] by federal officials in January after returning to the US.

If convicted, Lee faces life in prison.