Here’s the latest I can share based on recent reporting.
Monica Elfriede Witt is a former U.S. Air Force intelligence specialist who defected to Iran and is wanted by U.S. authorities on espionage charges. Reports in mid-May 2026 highlighted that the FBI is offering a $200,000 reward for information leading to her arrest, and authorities say she is presumed to be in Iran [sources in May 2026 coverage]. This reflects ongoing pursuit tied to a case that began with a 2019 indictment and subsequent wanted status [multiple outlets cited in May 2026 coverage].
Context on the case: Witt allegedly provided sensitive national defense information to Iran and disclosed the existence of at least one classified intelligence program, according to U.S. prosecutors. Her defection to Iran was reported to have occurred around 2013, and she has remained a fugitive since then [historical reporting up to 2019 and ongoing coverage in 2026]. The broader narrative ties Witt to illicit cyber and intelligence activities conducted with Iranian support, as described by various government and media outlets over the years.
Key points from notable outlets (summaries with dates):
If you’d like, I can compile a concise timeline with exact dates and add direct headline citations for each entry, or pull the latest updates from additional outlets you prefer.
A former U.S. Air Force counterintelligence specialist who defected to Iran has been charged with revealing classified information to the Tehran government, including the code name and secret mission of a Pentagon program.
www.inquirer.comThe FBI has announced a $200,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of monica elfriede witt. Witt is charged with espionage for Iran, and federal officials say she is residing in Iran.Daniel Wierzbicki said Witt allegedly betrayed her oath to the Constitution more than a decade ago by defe…
www.el-balad.comThe FBI is offering a £154,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Monica Witt, a former US Air Force officer accused of espionage for Iran.
www.inkl.comMonica Elfriede Witt - Top Alert – Entity designated / sanctioned for terror, WMD and human rights violation - Revealed to the Iranian government the existence of a highly classified intelligence collection program
www.ifmat.orgMonica Elfriede Witt, 39, a former US Air Force intelligence and counterintelligence agent, has been indicted by a federal grand jury for conspiracy to deliver and delivering national defense information to representatives of the Iranian government.
raysemko.comThe FBI has announced a $200,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Monica Witt, a former U.S. Air Force intelligence specialist accused of espionage for Iran. The bureau said Witt, also known as monica elfriede witt, is believed to be in Iran and remains wanted in a case that has stretched across more than a decade.
www.mogazmasr.comMonica Elfriede Witt is at large six years after she defected to Iran when she had been a US intelligence officer.
news.sky.com