The U.S. government has accused a former executive at defense contractor L3Harris of stealing trade secrets and selling them to a buyer in Russia, according to court documents seen by TechCrunch.
U.S. accuses former L3Harris cyber boss of stealing and selling secrets to Russian buyer
On October 14, the Department of Justice accused Peter Williams of stealing eight trade secrets from two unnamed companies. The DOJ made the allegation in a “criminal information” document, which, like an indictment, represents a formal accusation of alleged crimes.
The document does not specify Williams’ relationship with the two companies or the types of trade secrets, nor does it name the alleged Russian buyer.
TechCrunch has confirmed that the Williams mentioned in the document, which does not specify where he worked, is the former general manager at Trenchant, a division of L3Harris that develops hacking and surveillance tools for Western governments, including the United States.
Williams became Trenchant’s general manager on October 23, 2024, and he worked at Trenchant until August 21, 2025, per U.K. business records. Williams, a 39-year-old Australian citizen, resided in Washington, D.C., according to the court document.
Four former Trenchant employees had previously told TechCrunch that Williams, who was known inside the company as “Doogie,” had been arrested.
A spokesperson for the Justice Department confirmed to TechCrunch on Thursday that Williams is not currently in federal custody.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has formally accused Peter Williams, a former executive linked to defense contractor L3Harris, of engaging in a prolonged and calculated scheme to steal highly sensitive trade secrets. According to the DOJ’s criminal information document, Williams allegedly misappropriated seven trade secrets between April 2022 and June 2025, followed by an eighth theft between June and August 6, 2025. These classified materials are believed to have originated from two unnamed companies connected to U.S. defense and cybersecurity operations. The nature of the information, while undisclosed, reportedly pertains to advanced technological tools used in intelligence, surveillance, and cyber defense — making the breach a significant concern for national security authorities.
Federal prosecutors further allege that Williams earned approximately $1.3 million from the sale of these stolen trade secrets to a Russian buyer, suggesting a deliberate and financially motivated act of espionage. In response, the DOJ has initiated proceedings to forfeit all property and assets believed to have been acquired through his illicit activities. The case highlights the escalating threat of insider-driven cyber espionage within critical defense sectors, as well as the growing sophistication of foreign intelligence networks seeking to exploit such vulnerabilities. If convicted, Williams could face severe penalties under U.S. law, reinforcing the government’s commitment to safeguarding sensitive national defense technologies from foreign exploitation.
