FBI Offers $200,000 Reward for Ex-Air Force Agent Monica Witt Indicted in Iran Espionage Case

The FBI announced Thursday it is offering a $200,000 reward for information leading to the apprehension and prosecution of Monica Witt, a former U.S. service member and counterintelligence agent indicted by a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia in February 2019 on espionage charges.

Witt faces accusations of transmitting national defense information to the Iranian government. She served as an active-duty U.S. Air Force intelligence specialist and special agent for the Air Force Office of Special Investigations from 1997 to 2008. She then worked as a U.S. government contractor until 2010, according to a news release from the FBI Washington Field Office.

The 47-year-old gained access to secret and top secret information on foreign intelligence and counterintelligence matters, including the true names of U.S. Intelligence Community undercover personnel through her military service and contracting work.

Officials allege Witt defected to Iran in 2013 and supplied information to its government. That action put sensitive and classified U.S. national defense information and programs at risk, per the indictment.

She allegedly shared details that endangered U.S. personnel and their families stationed abroad. Witt also conducted research for the Iranian regime to target her former colleagues in the U.S. government.

Her defection has aided the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which handles intelligence collection, unconventional warfare and support for terrorist organizations targeting U.S. citizens and interests, the FBI said.

Witt remains at large despite the indictment. She speaks Farsi, resides in Iran and may use aliases such as Fatemah Zahra or Narges Witt.

The FBI continues efforts to locate her and bring her to justice.

"Monica Witt allegedly betrayed her oath to the Constitution more than a decade ago by defecting to Iran and providing the Iranian regime National Defense Information and likely continues to support their nefarious activities," said Daniel Wierzbicki, special agent in charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Counterintelligence and Cyber Division.

"The FBI has not forgotten and believes that during this critical moment in Iran’s history, there is someone who knows something about her whereabouts," Wierzbicki added. "The FBI wants to hear from you so you can help us apprehend Witt and bring her to justice."

Anyone with information about Witt should contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI, local FBI offices, the nearest American embassy or consulate, or tips.fbi.gov.