The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is offering a $200,000 reward for the capture of ex-Air Force counterintelligence specialist Monica Witt, who was charged with espionage in 2019.
Witt, who also served as a special agent for the Air Force’s Office of Special Investigations, is accused of providing national defense information to Iran, the FBI’s Washington Field Office said in a May 14 press release. Witt, 47, served in the military from 1997 to 2008 and then worked as a government contractor until 2010, officials said. She learned Farsi and deployed on counterintelligence operations, including in the Middle East, according to The Associated Press (AP).
Through both her military service and contract work, Witt had access to secret and top-secret foreign intelligence and counterintelligence information, including the identities of undercover U.S. intelligence community personnel, according to the FBI. Witt allegedly defected to Iran in 2013 with knowledge of classified defense information and programs. She purposely gave information to Iran and put U.S. personnel and their families who are stationed overseas in danger, the FBI alleged.
FBI Washington Field Office Announces $200,000 Reward for Information Leading to Arrest of Former U.S. Counterintelligence Agent Monica Witt: In 2013, Witt defected to Iran and then allegedly provided national defense information to the Iranian government. https://t.co/1vC0QBNZhk pic.twitter.com/zaNnQkcFvs
— FBI Washington Field (@FBIWFO) May 14, 2026
Witt allegedly carried out research for the Iranian regime to allow them to target her former colleagues from the U.S. The Justice Department said Witt was invited to two all-expenses paid conferences in Iran that pushed anti-Western propaganda ahead of her defection, the AP reported. The FBI warned Witt about what she was doing, but she told agents she would not offer Iran sensitive information if she went back, according to prosecutors. (RELATED: Prices Skyrocket To Highest Level In Years As Fallout From Iran War Continues Ravaging Economy)
The FBI alleged the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) benefited from Witt’s defection, according to the press release.
Daniel Wierzbicki, special agent in charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Counterintelligence and Cyber Division, said the bureau has not forgotten about Witt.
“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,” Wierzbicki said. “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. The FBI wants to hear from you so you can help us apprehend Witt and bring her to justice.”
The war between the U.S. and Iran remains unresolved despite a ceasefire and attempted negotiations in early April. War Department (DOW) Comptroller and Chief Financial Officer Jules W. Hurst III said the war is estimated to cost around $29 billion in May 12 congressional testimony. The U.S. and Israel began launching strikes against Iran on Feb. 28.