Former Trenchant exec pleads guilty to selling cyber exploits to Russian broker

Summary

Peter Williams, the former head of Trenchant — the L3Harris division that handled spyware and zero-day exploits — has pleaded guilty to two counts of theft of trade secrets for selling sensitive cyber-exploit components to a Russian cyber-tools broker. Prosecutors say the theft took place over a three-year period from 2022 to 2025 and involved at least eight protected exploit components that were only authorised for sale to the US government and approved allies.

Williams allegedly agreed to multiple contracts with the broker, including for initial sales and “follow-on support,” and was promised millions of dollars in cryptocurrency. The Department of Justice said L3Harris suffered about $35 million in losses and warned that the sold exploits likely aided foreign cyber actors in attacks on numerous victims. Each charge carries a maximum of 10 years in prison and fines.

Context and Relevance

Author style: Punchy — this case underscores the growing threat from insider-enabled transfer of offensive cyber capabilities to state-aligned brokers. US authorities called such brokers “the next wave of international arms dealers,” highlighting how commercial cyber tools are moving into darker, state-directed markets.

This matters to organisations working in defence, national security and critical infrastructure because it shows how trusted insiders can monetise powerful capabilities and how those capabilities can quickly be repurposed against non-allied targets.

Key Points

Peter Williams, former general manager of Trenchant at L3Harris, pleaded guilty to two counts of theft of trade secrets.
The stolen material included at least eight sensitive cyber-exploit components intended only for the US government and approved allies.
The theft occurred between 2022 and 2025 and was sold to a Russian cyber-tools broker that advertises reselling exploits to customers including the Russian government.
Williams is reported to have been promised millions in cryptocurrency and signed contracts covering initial sales and ongoing support.
The DOJ estimates L3Harris suffered about $35 million in losses as a result of the offences.
Each count carries a maximum prison term of 10 years plus fines; US officials warned these brokers act like international arms dealers.

Why should I read this

Short version: an insider at a defence contractor sold zero-days to a Russian broker for crypto — that’s a direct hit to national security and a stark warning about insider risk. If you care about cyber defence, supply-chain security or how offensive tools leak into hostile hands, this is worth your two-minute skim.

Source

Source: https://therecord.media/trenchant-exec-pleads-guilty-russia-secrets