Clayton J. Lonetree facts for kids

Clayton J. Lonetree (born November 6, 1961) is a former U.S. Marine. He became known for sharing secret information with the Soviet Union's spy agency, the KGB. This made him the first U.S. Marine ever found guilty of spying against his own country.

Lonetree worked as a guard at the Embassy of the United States in Moscow in the early 1980s. He later admitted in 1987 to giving secret documents to the Soviet Union. When he was assigned to Vienna, Austria, he was forced to hand over more important papers. These included plans of the U.S. Embassy buildings and the names of secret U.S. agents. He spent nine years in prison for his actions.

Early Life and Background

Clayton Lonetree was born on November 6, 1961. His father was a Native American from the Winnebago tribe. His mother was a Native American from the Navajo tribe.

Military Service and Investigation

Lonetree was a Marine Corps Security Guard. He was stationed at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow during the early 1980s. Later, he was moved to Vienna, Austria.

In 1987, Lonetree admitted to giving secret documents to the Soviet Union. He said he had been forced to share information. This included blueprints of the U.S. Embassy buildings. He also shared the names of U.S. intelligence agents.

Court Proceedings and Sentence

Lonetree was put on trial by the military at Quantico, Virginia. On August 21, 1987, he was found guilty of all 13 charges. Six of these charges were for sharing secret information.

He could have faced a very long prison sentence. However, he was first given a 30-year sentence. He also lost his rank and military pay.

In 1989, the head of the Marine Corps, Gen. Alfred M. Gray Jr., suggested a shorter sentence. He wrote that Lonetree's actions had "minimal" impact. He also said Lonetree was "naive" and "lonely," not trying to betray his country for money. Lonetree's sentence was then reduced to 15 years.

Lonetree tried to appeal his conviction in 1991. He wanted his sentence overturned, but his appeal was denied.

Release and Later Life

Lonetree was released from the United States Disciplinary Barracks in 1996. He had served nine years in prison.

In 2001, Lonetree spoke as a witness in another spy trial. This was for a former U.S. Army Reserve Colonel named George Trofimoff. Lonetree described how he was recruited by the Soviet Union. He became emotional and apologized for his past actions. Colonel Trofimoff was later found guilty of spying and sentenced to life in prison.

See also

• Honeypot