Maryland Couple Accused of Selling Submarine Secrets Appear in Court
The New York Times
Jonathan and Diana Toebbe face life in prison if convicted on the charges. Prosecutors, saying they are flight risks, are seeking to keep them in detention.
MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — The Maryland couple accused of trying to sell some of America’s most closely guarded nuclear submarine secrets made their first appearance in court since they were arrested over the weekend.
The couple, Jonathan and Diana Toebbe, were accused of selling nuclear propulsion secrets to an undercover F.B.I. officer through a series of dead drops featuring memory cards hidden in peanut butter sandwiches, gum packages and Band-Aid wrappers.
Though they appeared separately on Tuesday, each was charged individually with communication of restricted data and conspiracy to communicate restricted data, charges that could lead to life in prison. Neither of them was asked to enter a plea during their short initial appearances.
