Spy Fail

[TheCommandTent]

A former Marine who was working at a U.S. consulate office in China has pleaded guilty after trying -- and failing -- to spy for China, the Department of Justice said today.

Bryan Underwood, 32, pleaded guilty to one charge for attempting to pass photographs and access to the U.S. consulate in Guangzhou, China to China's Ministry of State Security.

After losing over $150,000 in the stock market in March 2011, Underwood, who was working at the time as a contract security guard, wrote a letter to China's Ministry of State Security in which he expressed his, "interest in initiating a business arrangement with your office," according to court documents.

http://news.yahoo.com/us-consulate-guard-fails-spying-china-pleads-guilty-185320584--abc-news-topstories.html

I was really surprised to see that he was a former Marine. 

Following his arrest on September 1, 2011, Underwood was released from custody under his own personal recognizance by a federal magistrate but he failed to appear at his next court hearing on September 21, 2011. The FBI subsequently located him in a Los Angeles hotel and arrested him 3 days later.

Normally, those found guilty of espionage-related crimes can face up to life in prison, but according to a plea agreement, Underwood may not face more than 19 years.

Whatever happened to executing traitors.