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

A former U.S. counterintelligence agent once trusted with classified information is now at the center of an international manhunt. The latest move by the FBI has brought her name back into the spotlight.

Years after disappearing from public view, Monica Witt is once again making headlines after federal authorities announced a major cash reward tied to her capture. The case has resurfaced with renewed urgency — and the details behind her alleged defection remain startling.

The FBI's latest announcement has also revived interest in how a decorated former Air Force specialist allegedly crossed paths with Iranian intelligence after leaving the U.S. military. What followed would eventually lead to espionage charges, cybercrime allegations, and one of the most unusual counterintelligence cases in recent memory.

The FBI's New Reward Offer

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.

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, prosecutors claimed Witt defected to Iran sometime after leaving government service.

Authorities alleged that after arriving in Iran, Witt provided classified information to Iranian officials, including details linked to intelligence operations and personnel.

The Justice Department also accused her of helping Iranian intelligence officers target former colleagues through cyber activities.

At the time of the original charges, federal prosecutors announced that four Iranian nationals were also charged in connection with cyber-related operations allegedly tied to the case.

The Alleged Defection

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

Federal prosecutors claimed Witt attended conferences and events connected to Iranian media and organizations before ultimately defecting. Authorities alleged that those interactions later evolved into cooperation with Iranian intelligence services.

The Justice Department said Witt eventually appeared in Iranian media broadcasts criticizing the United States after leaving the country.

Investigators also alleged she assisted Iranian intelligence officials by sharing information that could help identify and monitor former intelligence contacts.

While the allegations shocked many observers when they first emerged in 2019, the FBI's latest reward announcement has pushed the case back into public discussion.

A Case That Still Isn't Closed

Even after several years, federal authorities continue to describe Monica Witt as a wanted fugitive.

The FBI said the reward is being offered for information that leads directly to her apprehension and prosecution. Officials have not publicly stated where they believe Witt is currently located.

The case remains one of the most high-profile espionage investigations involving a former U.S. counterintelligence official in recent years.

For now, the mystery surrounding Witt's whereabouts continues — but the FBI's latest move makes one thing clear: authorities are still searching for answers, and they are willing to pay heavily for them.