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USA v. Jeffrey Alexander Sterling: Selected Case Files

On January 6, 2011, the Department of Justice announced the indictment of former CIA officer Jeffrey A. Sterling on charges of unauthorized disclosure of national defense information. On January 27, 2015, he was convicted on nine felony counts. On May 11, 2015, he was sentenced to 42 months in prison. He was released in January 2018 after serving most of his sentence.

Selected Case Files

• Appeals Court Upholds 42 Month Sentence, June 22, 2017
• Government's Appeals Court Brief, March 28, 2016
• Defendant's Appeals Court Brief, February 22, 2016
• Defendant's Notice of Appeal, May 26, 2015
• Judgment and Statement of Sentence, May 11, 2015
• Govt's Revised Response to Defendant's Sentencing Memorandum, May 10, 2015
• Govt's Response to Defendant's Sentencing Memorandum, May 7, 2015
• Defendant's Motion for Reconsideration of Motion to Dismiss Based on Selective Prosecution, January 2, 2015 (unsealed May 4, 2015)
• Jeffrey Sterling's Memorandum in Aid of Sentencing, April 24, 2015
• US Memorandum in Aid of Sentencing, April 20, 2015
• Archbishop Desmond Tutu Urges Court to Sentence Sterling Fairly, April 6, 2015
• Defense Reply in Support of Motion for Acquittal, March 19, 2015
• Defense Reply in Support of Dismissal Based on Selective Prosecution, March 19, 2015
• Govt's Opposition to Defense Motion for Acquittal, March 2, 2015
• Govt's Opposition to Motion for Dismissal Based on Selective Prosecution, March 2, 2015
• Govt's Opposition to Defense Motion for Reconsideration, March 2, 2015
• Defense Motion for Acquittal, February 16, 2015
• Transcript of Trial, January 12-22, 2015 via ExposeFacts.org
• Selected Govt Exhibits Admitted at Trial, January 20, 2015
• Selected Govt Exhibits Admitted at Trial, January 16, 2015
• Selected Govt Exhibits Admitted at Trial, January 14, 2015
• Order Denying Govt Motion to Exclude James Risen, January 12, 2015
• Govt Motion to Exclude James Risen as an Unavailable Witness, January 12, 2015
• Court Orders Issuance of Subpoena to Human Asset No. 1, December 17, 2014
• Subpoena Issued to James Risen, December 16, 2014
• Court Authorizes Issuance of Subpoena to James Risen, December 16, 2014
• Govt Describes Proposed Scope of Risen Testimony, December 16, 2014
• Order: Govt Must Decide by December 16 if it will seek Risen Testimony, December 9, 2014
• Govt Reply Regarding Potential Giglio Information, November 20, 2014
• Defense Reply in Support of Motion to Compel, November 18, 2014
• Govt Responds That it has Reached No Agreement with James Risen, November 3, 2014
• Supplemental Defense Memorandum in Support of Motion to Compel, October 30, 2014
• Govt Response to Defense Motion to Compel, October 27, 2014
• Govt Request for Issuance of (Blank) Subpoenas, October 24, 2014
• Supplemental Defense Memorandum in Support of Motion to Compel, October 24, 2014
• Defense Motion for Discovery of Any "Understandings" between the Govt and James Risen, October 7, 2014

Petition to the US Supreme Court

• Government Opposition to Risen Petition for Certiorari, April 25, 2014
• Risen Petition for Certiorari, January 13, 2014

Proceedings on Appeal

• Appeals Court Ruling of July 19, 2013 Takes Effect, September 9, 2014
• Motion for a Stay Granted, November 6, 2013
• Govt Does Not Oppose Risen Motion for a Stay, November 4, 2013
• Risen Motion for a Stay Pending a Petition to the Supreme Court, October 22, 2013
• Appeals Court Denies Petitions for Rehearing En Banc, October 15, 2013
• Govt Response to Petitions for Rehearing En Banc, August 26, 2013
• Sterling Petition for Rehearing En Banc, August 2, 2013
• Risen Petition for Rehearing En Banc, August 2, 2013
• Amicus Brief in Support of Risen Petition for Rehearing, August 2, 2013
• Appeals Court Reverses Order to Quash Subpoena Against Risen, July 19, 2013
• Risen Attorney Says New DoJ Media Guidelines Favor Reporter's Privilege, July 18, 2013
• Risen Attorney Rebuts Govt Supplemental Argument Against Reporter's Privilege, September 24, 2012
• Government Offers Supplemental Authority for Argument Against Reporter's Privilege, September 17, 2012
• Court Orders Oral Argument on May 18 to be Partly Sealed, April 18, 2012
• Motion to Withdraw Appearance of William M Welch II, April 16, 2012
• Parties Propose Bifurcated, Partly Sealed Oral Argument, April 9, 2012
• Court Inquires Whether to Seal Oral Argument on May 18, April 6, 2012
• Government's Reply Brief, February 28, 2012
• Response Brief of Jeffrey Sterling, February 14, 2012, redacted version docketed February 27, 2012
• Amicus Curiae Brief in Support of James Risen by ABC, Inc. and other media organizations, February 21, 2012
• Amicus Curiae Brief in Support of James Risen by Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression, February 21, 2012
• Brief of James Risen, February 14, 2012
• Government's Brief (Redacted Version), January 13, 2012
• Scheduling Order, November 28, 2011
• Proposed Briefing Schedule, November 21, 2011
• Sterling's Response to Proposed Briefing Schedule, November 21, 2011
• Docketing Statement, November 9, 2011
• Defendant's Opposition to Govt's October 4 Motion to Exclude Certain Arguments, October 11, 2011 (docketed February 8, 2012)
• Defendant's CIPA Statement of Classified Information to be Disclosed at Trial, October 5, 2011 (docketed February 8, 2012)
• Government Files Notice of Appeal, October 19, 2011
• Court Order Ruling on Various Pre-Trial Motions, October 18, 2011
• Defendant's Reply in Support of Motion to Dismiss for Selective Prosecution, October 13, 2011
• Govt Opposition to Motion to Dismiss for Selective Prosecution, October 12, 2011
• Order Granting Limited Inquiry into Risen's Book Proposal, October 12, 2011
• Notice of Govt Intent to Use Expert Rebuttal Testimony, October 4, 2011
• Government Motion to Admit Certain Statements of James Risen, Condoleezza Rice, Human Asset No. 1, October 4, 2011
• Government Motion to Exclude Certain Defense Arguments, October 4, 2011
• Order on CIPA Stipulations, Silent Witness Rule, September 29, 2011
• Govt Reply Opposing Defendant's Proposed Classified Testimony, September 27, 2011
• Govt Reply to James Risen's Opposition to Motion for Reconsideration of Subpoena, September 22, 2011
• Govt Reply to Defense Opposition to Motion for Reconsideration of Subpoena to James Risen, September 22, 2011
• Defense Opposition to Govt Motion to Preclude Testimony of Mark Feldstein, September 16, 2011
• James Risen's Opposition to Govt Motion for Reconsideration of Subpoena, September 14, 2011
• Defendant's Opposition to Govt Motion for Reconsideration of Subpoena of James Risen, September 14, 2011
• Govt Motion to Preclude Expert Testimony of Mark Feldstein, September 12, 2011
• Govt Response Regarding Identities of Govt Expert Witnesses, September 12, 2011
• Govt Motion to Admit Exhibits Through Substitutions or Use of Silent Witness Rule, September 9, 2011
• Risen Motion for Extension of Time to Respond, September 6, 2011
• Supplement to the Govt's August 24 Motion for Clarification and Reconsideration, September 2, 2011 (with Exhibit on Disclosure of Defense Expert)
• Order Denying Defendant's First (6/22/11) and Second (08/12/11) Motions to Compel, and granting Govt use of substitutions under CIPA, and heightened security measures, August 30, 2011
• Defendant's Reply on Subpoena of Senate Witnesses, August 30, 2011
• Govt Request to Close CIPA Hearings, August 29, 2011
• Govt Memo on Status of Discovery Issues, August 29, 2011
• Defendant's Opposition to Admission of Govt Experts, August 29, 2011
• Govt Opposition to Defense Motion to Compel Discovery on Iran Nuclear Program, August 26, 2011
• Govt Reply to Defense Opposition to In Camera Hearings and Special Security Procedures, August 26, 2011
• Government Motion for Clarification of Court Order Regarding Subpoena of James Risen, August 24, 2011
• Defendant's Opposition to In Camera Hearings and Special Security Procedures, August 19, 2011
• Order Granting Motion for Extension of Time, August 18, 2011
• Govt Motion for Extension of Time to Respond to Defense Motion to Compel, August 18, 2011
• Defense Motion to Compel Discovery of Information on Iran Nuclear Program, August 12, 2011
• Government Letter on proposed trial exhibits, August 9, 2011
• Government Motion for a CIPA Hearing, August 9, 2011
• Scheduling Order, August 4, 2011
• Parties' Proposed Schedule, August 4, 2011
• Memorandum Opinion Limiting Testimony of James Risen, July 29, 2011
• Court Order Limiting Scope of Testimony of James Risen, July 29, 2011
• Govt Response to Defense Motion to Subpoena Senate Intelligence Records, July 22, 2011
• Defense Reply in Support of Motion to Compel Discovery, July 15, 2011
• Defense Motion for Discovery, July 14, 2011
• Prosecution Request for 50 Blank Subpoenas for October 17 Trial, July 12, 2011
• Defendant Sterling Moves to Subpoena U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee Records, July 11, 2011
• Govt Response to Defendant's Discovery Motion, July 8, 2011
• Transcript of Motions Hearing on Subpoena of James Risen, July 7, 2011
• Order Resetting Trial Date for October 17, 2011, July 7, 2011
• Government's Response Opposing Unsealing of Grand Jury Motions, July 6, 2011
• Government's Response in Opposition to James Risen's Motion to Quash, July 1, 2011 (plus Exhibits)
• Govt's Reply to Defendant's Opposition to Motion to Quash, July 1, 2011
• Memorandum Opinion Granting Motion to Quash Subpoena Against James Risen, November 30, 2010, unsealed June 28, 2011
• Order Unsealing November 30, 2010 Opinion Granting Motion to Quash Subpoena Against James Risen, June 28, 2011
• Motion by James Risen to Quash Subpoena and/or for Protective Order, June 21, 2011
• Affidavit of James Risen, June 21, 2011 (with exhibits and attachments)
• Motion by James Risen to File Portions of his Motion to Quash Under Seal, June 21, 2011
• Defense Opposition to Motion to Admit Testimony of James Risen, June 21, 2011
• Govt Motion to Admit the Testimony of James Risen, May 23, 2011
• Order Granting Govt Motion to Seal Motion to Withdraw, May 18, 2011
• Order Granting Govt Motion to Withdraw, May 18, 2011
• Govt Motion to Withdraw May 12 Motion to Depose Witness, May 18, 2011
• Govt Request for 50 Blank Subpoenas, May 17, 2011
• Defense Notice of Filing Classified Letter to Govt, May 13, 2011
• Sealed Response by Defense to Govt Motion, May 13, 2011
• Order to Provide Sealed Motion to Defense, May 12, 2011
• Sealed Govt Motion to Depose Prospective Witness, May 12, 2011
• Govt Response to Defendant's Third CIPA Section 5 Notice, May 9, 2011
• Defendant's Reply to Govt's Response on CIPA Notices, April 26, 2011
• Govt Response to Defendant's CIPA Section 5 Notices, April 20, 2011
• Defendant's Reply to Govt Opposition to Dismissal of Count Eight, March 16, 2011
• Defendant's Reply to Govt Opposition to Dismissal of Counts One and Two, March 16, 2011
• Defendant's Reply to Govt Opposition to Dismissal of Count Nine, March 16, 2011
• Defendant's Reply to Govt Opposition to Dismissal of Multiplicitous Counts, March 16, 2011
• Defendant's Reply in Support of Motion for Bill of Particulars, March 16, 2011
• Govt Opposition to Defendant's Motion to Dismiss Counts as Multiplicitous, March 10, 2011
• Govt Opposition to Defendant's Motion to Dismiss Count Nine, March 10, 2011
• Govt Opposition to Defendant's Motion to Dismiss Counts One and Two, March 10, 2011
• Govt Opposition to Defendant's Alternate Motion to Dismiss Count Eight, March 10, 2011
• Govt Opposition to Defendant's Motion to Dismiss Count Eight, March 10, 2011
• Govt Opposition to Defendant's Motion for a Bill of Particulars, March 10, 2011
• Defendant's Motion for a Bill of Particulars, February 24, 2011
• Defendant's Motion to Dismiss Counts Two and Five, February 24, 2011
• Defendant's Motion to Dismiss Counts One and Two, February 24, 2011
• Defendant's Motion to Dismiss Counts One and Six, February 24, 2011
• Defendant's Motion to Dismiss Count Nine, February 24, 2011
• Defendant's Motion to Dismiss Count Eight, February 24, 2011
• Defendant's Alternate Motion to Dismiss Count Eight, February 24, 2011
• Protective Order Regarding Classified Information, February 11, 2011
• Protective Order for Unclassified Information, February 1, 2011
• Order Setting Conditions of Release, January 25, 2011
• Defedant's Opposition to Pretrial Detention, January 21, 2011
• Govt Motion for Pretrial Detention, January 11, 2011
• Indictment, December 22, 2010

Related Resources

• He was fired from the CIA and jailed for a leak. Now he's trying to hang on by Matt Zapotosky, Washington Post, February 21, 2016
• Former CIA Officer Sentenced to 42 Months in Prison for Leaking Classified Information and Obstruction of Justice, Department of Justice news release, May 11, 2015
• Jeffrey Sterling Moves for Acquittal Based on Government's Expansive Interpretation of Spying by Marcy Wheeler, ExposeFacts, February 18, 2015
• Ex-CIA officer charged with leak released on bond by Josh Gerstein, Politico, January 25, 2011
• Life away from CIA still tangled, lonely for indicted ex-spy by Todd C. Frankel, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, January 23, 2011
• Feds: Leaking is Worse than Spying by Josh Gerstein, Politico, January 17, 2011
• Former CIA officer Jeffrey A. Sterling charged in leak probe by Greg Miller, Washington Post, January 7, 2011
• Ex-C.I.A. Officer Named in Disclosure Indictment by Charlie Savage, New York Times, January 7, 2010

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Maintained by Steven Aftergood
Updated January 29, 2018