Suspect in theft of secrets must stay in custody

BALTIMORE — A former National Security Agency contractor accused in a huge theft of classified information will remain in custody as prosecutors continue building a criminal case against him, a federal judge ruled.

U.S. Magistrate Judge A. David Copperthite on Friday agreed with prosecutors that Harold Martin III of Glen Burnie, Md., represented a flight risk if released and said there was no doubt that the top secret information he was accused of stealing over two decades is something “this country’s enemies would love to explore.”

Martin’s lawyers foreshadowed their upcoming defense, describing him as a “compulsive hoarder” and saying there was no evidence he ever shared the information with a foreign country or even intended to do so.

“He’s not Edward Snowden,” said James Wyda, the federal defender representing Martin, referring to the former NSA contractor who three years ago disclosed to journalists secret information about government surveillance programs.

The Justice Department presented a vastly different portrait. Prosecutors have said FBI agents who searched Martin’s home and car in August found evidence of a “breathtaking” theft of top secret government information.

A complaint charged Martin with theft of government property and unauthorized removal of classified materials, which together carry a combined maximum of 11 years in prison. But Myers said in court Friday that the Justice Department has evidence to bring additional charges under the Espionage Act.