Ex-U.S. Counterintelligence Agent Monica Witt Wanted as FBI Announces $200,000 Reward

The FBI has revived its hunt for former counterintelligence agent Monica Witt with a $200,000 reward, years after her shocking defection to Iran rattled the U.S. intelligence world.

A former Air Force intelligence specialist disappeared into Iran more than a decade ago, and now the FBI says the woman accused of betraying America is still out there. The renewed hunt for Monica Witt has dragged one of the most chilling espionage scandals back into the spotlight.

The former U.S. counterintelligence agent once handled classified secrets and worked alongside America's intelligence community. Today, federal authorities claim she crossed over to the other side entirely and may still be helping Iran.

FBI Renews Search for Monica Witt

The FBI is offering $200,000 for information leading to the apprehension and prosecution of Monica Witt, a former U.S. service member and counterintelligence agent charged with espionage-related crimes involving Iran.

According to the FBI Washington Field Office announcement, the reward was officially announced on May 14, 2026. Federal authorities said Witt was indicted by a grand jury in Washington, D.C., in February 2019.

Prosecutors accused her of transmitting national defense information to the Iranian government after previously serving as a U.S. counterintelligence specialist.

The renewed reward announcement suggests investigators are still actively searching for Witt years after the original indictment became public.

Daniel Wierzbicki, special agent in charge of the FBI Washington Field Office's Counterintelligence and Cyber Division, said, "Monica Witt allegedly betrayed her oath to the Constitution more than a decade ago by defecting to Iran and providing the Iranian regime with National Defense Information, and likely continues to support their nefarious activities."

He added, "The FBI has not forgotten and believes that during this critical moment in Iran's history, there is someone who knows something about her whereabouts."

The 2012 Trip That Drew Attention

The most dramatic chapter in the case allegedly began in February 2012.

According to federal prosecutors, Witt traveled to Iran to attend an event known as the "Hollywoodism" conference, organized by the Iranian New Horizon Organization.

Authorities described the conference as an event sponsored by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC, that promoted anti-U.S. messaging and criticized American cultural influence.

The trip would later become one of the most closely examined moments in the investigation.

Prosecutors alleged that during and after the conference, Witt interacted with individuals connected to Iranian government interests.

One person identified in court documents only as "Individual A" allegedly became a key contact.

Federal investigators said Witt later communicated extensively with the dual U.S.-Iranian citizen after returning home.

From Military Insider to Espionage Charges

Before the allegations surfaced, Witt served as a U.S. Air Force intelligence specialist and later worked in counterintelligence roles involving highly sensitive government information.

According to the Department of Justice case announcement, Monica Elfriede Witt entered active duty with the U.S. Air Force in 1997. Federal prosecutors said Witt left active military service in 2008 but continued working as a Department of Defense contractor until 2010.

During that time, authorities say she received high-level security clearances that gave her access to secret and top secret intelligence.

Investigators also alleged she had access to the true identities of undercover U.S. Intelligence Community personnel. The government said Witt participated in classified counterintelligence missions overseas during her years in service.

The 2012 Iran Conference

One of the most striking elements of the case remains how Witt allegedly left the United States and eventually resurfaced in Iran.

According to federal prosecutors, Witt traveled to Iran to attend an event known as the "Hollywoodism" conference, organized by the Iranian New Horizon Organization.

Authorities described the conference as an event sponsored by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC, that promoted anti-U.S. messaging and criticized American cultural influence.

The trip would later become one of the most closely examined moments in the investigation. During and after the conference, Witt interacted with individuals connected to Iranian government interests.

One person identified in court documents only as "Individual A" allegedly became a key contact.

Federal investigators said Witt later communicated extensively with the dual U.S.-Iranian citizen after returning home.

Her Return to Iran

According to prosecutors, those communications eventually led to another trip. Federal officials alleged Witt arranged to re-enter Iran in August 2013.

That second visit would later become central to the government's case. Authorities claim Witt defected to Iran after arriving there in 2013.

The indictment alleged Iranian officials provided her with housing and computer equipment after her arrival. Investigators also claimed Witt began supplying sensitive information to the Iranian government shortly afterward.

Among the allegations were claims that she disclosed information tied to a classified Department of Defense Special Access Program.

Federal prosecutors further alleged that Witt provided information that endangered U.S. intelligence personnel and even family members stationed overseas.

Alleged Work for Iranian Intelligence

The accusations did not stop with classified information. Prosecutors alleged Witt actively helped Iranian intelligence officials identify and monitor former U.S. colleagues she once worked alongside.

According to the indictment, Witt conducted research on personnel connected to the U.S. Intelligence Community and helped prepare so-called "target packages."

Federal officials said those files contained information about intelligence employees and former associates. Assistant Attorney General John Demers described the allegations in unusually blunt terms when the case was first unsealed.

"Monica Witt is charged with revealing to the Iranian regime a highly classified intelligence program and the identity of a U.S. Intelligence Officer," Demers said.

He also accused Witt of violating "her solemn oath to protect and defend our country."

The Cyber Plot Allegations

The case expanded even further when prosecutors announced charges against four Iranian nationals allegedly connected to cyber operations involving Witt's former colleagues.

Federal officials accused the men of conspiracy, attempted computer intrusion, and aggravated identity theft. Authorities alleged the cyber operations took place between 2014 and 2015 and targeted former U.S. intelligence personnel connected to Witt.

Investigators claimed the group worked on behalf of the IRGC. According to prosecutors, the alleged cyber conspirators used fake social media accounts, malware campaigns, and spearphishing attacks to try to infiltrate computers and networks.

One of the most startling allegations involved a fake Facebook profile. Federal prosecutors claimed the conspirators created a Facebook account impersonating one of Witt's former colleagues, using real photos and personal information copied from the employee's actual account.

Authorities said several former intelligence personnel accepted friend requests from the fake profile because it appeared legitimate.

The indictment alleged the cyber group attempted to trick targets into opening malicious files or clicking infected links that would secretly install malware.

Officials Describe a Rare Betrayal

Several senior federal officials publicly condemned Witt's alleged actions when the charges became public. Special Agent Terry Phillips of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations called the allegations "a betrayal of our nation's security, our military, and the American people."

He added that such violations are "extremely rare." Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin also addressed the case while announcing sanctions tied to Iranian cyber operations.

Mnuchin said New Horizon conferences had allegedly provided Iranian intelligence officers opportunities to recruit attendees and gather information.

Federal officials additionally accused the IRGC of supporting intelligence collection efforts and cyber campaigns targeting Americans.

Still Missing After More Than a Decade

Even after the 2019 indictment and years of public attention, investigators say Witt has not been captured. The FBI's new reward announcement makes clear that federal authorities are still actively searching for her.

Officials have not publicly disclosed where they believe Witt currently lives. But prosecutors continue to describe her alleged defection as one of the most damaging insider betrayals outlined in a modern U.S. counterintelligence case.

Now, with the FBI publicly offering $200,000 for information tied to her capture, the case has once again returned to public view — bringing renewed attention to the former intelligence specialist whose path allegedly led from classified U.S. operations to the Iranian government.