Peter Williams, 39, an Australian national and former general manager of a US defense contractor, has pleaded guilty in federal court to selling stolen trade secrets to a Russian cyber-tools broker.
According to court documents, Williams admitted to stealing proprietary national security software over a three-year period, from 2022 through 2025. The stolen material included at least eight sensitive cyber-exploit components designed exclusively for use by the US government and select allied nations.
Prosecutors said Williams used his high-level access to the company’s secure network to download and transfer the classified components. He then sold them to a Russian broker known for reselling cyber exploits to various clients, including entities affiliated with the Russian government.
In exchange, Williams received millions of dollars in cryptocurrency payments, which he used to purchase luxury items. The illicit transactions were conducted through encrypted means and entered written contracts that promised both initial and follow-up support for the stolen tools.
Williams pleaded guilty to two counts of theft of trade secrets. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the financial gain or loss from the offense.