Former L3Harris Exec Charged with Selling Secrets to Russia

L3Harris Peter Williams trade secrets Russia espionage cybersecurity

Alan V Gutnov

Director of Strategy

October 27, 2025

2 min read

TL;DR

This article details the charges against Peter Williams, a former executive at L3Harris' Trenchant division, for allegedly selling trade secrets to a Russian buyer. The Department of Justice claims Williams stole sensitive information related to hacking and surveillance tools, potentially netting over $1.3 million. The investigation highlights national security risks associated with defense contractor data.

Former L3Harris Executive Charged with Selling Secrets to Russia

Peter Williams, a former general manager at L3Harris' Trenchant division, has been charged with selling trade secrets to a Russian buyer. The Justice Department alleges that Williams stole seven trade secrets between April 2022 and June 2025, intending to sell them to someone in the Russian Federation. Court documents don't specify what the trade secrets involved.

Details of the Allegations

The Department of Justice (DOJ) accused Peter Williams of stealing eight trade secrets from two unnamed companies. The DOJ alleges Williams made $1.3 million from the sale of these trade secrets. Prosecutors are seeking the forfeiture of Williams’ assets, including his residence, luxury watches, jewelry, and funds in seven bank and cryptocurrency accounts, claiming these were derived from the criminal activity. The case is being prosecuted by the DOJ National Security Division’s section on Counterintelligence and Export Control. DOJ Filings

Trenchant's Role

Trenchant, a division of L3Harris, develops hacking and surveillance tools. It supports "national security operations with end-point intelligence solutions". According to the company's website, it is a "world authority on cyber capabilities, operating in the fields of computer network operations and vulnerability research." L3Harris acquired Azimuth Security and Linchpin Labs in 2018, which then merged to become Trenchant.

Williams' Tenure and the Investigation

Williams served as Trenchant’s general manager from October 23, 2024, until August 21, 2025, per U.K. business records. Four former Trenchant employees told TechCrunch that Williams, known as “Doogie,” had been arrested. TechCrunch exclusively reported that the company was investigating a leak of its hacking tools.

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