Peter Williams, 39, an Australian national, was sentenced in federal court to seven years and three months in prison for selling his employer’s trade secrets — including sensitive cyber-exploit components — to a Russian cyber-tools broker, the Department of Justice announced Tuesday.
U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan also imposed a $1.3 million forfeiture, along with cryptocurrency, a house, and luxury items including watches and jewelry.
A restitution hearing is set for May 12, 2026.
In sentencing him, Judge AliKhan said theft of trade secrets tied to national security software “necessarily implicates national security,” adding that Williams admitted harming intelligence communities in the United States and Australia.
On Oct. 29, 2025, Williams pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to two counts of theft of trade secrets. In a plea agreement, he admitted stealing eight cyber-exploit components over three years from the U.S. defense contractor where he worked, officials stated.
The national security software was intended for sale only to the U.S. government and select allies.
Williams admitted selling the trade secrets to a Russian cyber-tools broker for cryptocurrency, which he used to buy luxury vacations, jewelry, watches, clothing and property.
To carry out the scheme, Williams signed multiple contracts with the broker covering initial sales and ongoing support payments. He transferred the components through encrypted channels.
The broker advertises itself as a reseller of cyber exploits, including to the Russian government, according to authorities.
On Wednesday, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control and the State Department announced separate actions targeting the broker and its operators.
Williams acknowledged his actions caused $35 million in losses to the contractor and harmed its U.S. and allied government customers.