Air Force Files New Spy Counts Against Airman
- Share via
MARYSVILLE, Calif. — The Air Force said Thursday that it has filed new charges against an airman accused of seeking to pass to the Soviets information associated with the secret SR-71 spy plane, and that he no longer faces the death penalty.
Airman 1st Class Bruce Ott, who was stationed at Beale Air Force Base here, has been recharged under a section of the Uniform Code of Military Justice that carries a maximum penalty of 32 years in prison. Ott’s court-martial is scheduled to begin April 10.
The Air Force said it was discovered that the section under which Ott was first charged and which carried a possible penalty of death or life in prison, was not effective until March 1, although it was enacted last November.
Ott, 25, was arrested Jan. 22 in Davis on charges of trying to pass information to a Soviet agent. Authorities have refused to disclose details of the arrest, but said it took place before any information changed hands.
Ott was an administrative clerk with the secret SR-71 spy plane squadron stationed at Beale. The aircraft can fly to the edge of space at three times the speed of sound and is equipped with sophisticated cameras.
Ott is accused of trying to pass the squadron’s duty roster and an unidentified “classified regulation” to the Soviets.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
