Monica Witta former US Air Force counterintelligence specialist, remains one of the FBI’s most wanted fugitives years after he allegedly defected to Iran and shared classified information with the country’s intelligence services. The case gained renewed attention in May 2026 after the FBI announced a $200,000 reward for information leading to her arrest. Witt was indicted on espionage-related charges in 2019, with prosecutors accusing her of disclosing sensitive intelligence operations and helping Iran target former US officials.
Learn more about Witt, her military career, and where investigators think she might be now.
Who is Monica Witt?
Wet A former US Air Force counterintelligence specialist, she became one of the FBI’s most wanted fugitives after her alleged defection to Iran in 2013. In 2019, a federal grand jury indicted her on espionage-related charges, accusing her of sharing classified national defense information with the Iranian government and helping Iranian intelligence target her former American colleagues.
According to the FBI, “On February 8, 2019, Witt was indicted and issued a federal arrest warrant by a grand jury in the U.S. District Court, District of Columbia, charging her with conspiracy to communicate national defense information to representatives of a foreign government and to deliver national defense information to representatives of a foreign government, specifically the government of Iran.”
Born in Texas in 1979, Witt served in the Air Force from 1997 to 2008 before later working as a defense contractor. Authorities allege that she eventually became affiliated with groups linked to Iranian intelligence after traveling to Iran to attend conferences in early 2010.
What is Monica Witt’s job in the Air Force?
During her military career, Witt served as a cryptolinguist and counterintelligence specialist in the United States Air Force. She was trained in Persian (Farsi) at the Defense Language Institute and later served as a special agent in the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. Her work is said to have given her access to highly sensitive and top-secret intelligence involving covert operations, undercover personnel and counter-espionage programmes.
According to federal investigators, Witt used her intelligence background and knowledge of US operations to help Iran after she defected. Prosecutors allege she helped Iranian operatives identify and target former U.S. intelligence officials through cyber and surveillance efforts.
Where is Monica Witt now?
The FBI believes Witt is currently living in Iran and may still be assisting Iranian intelligence operations. Authorities say she remains at large and may use aliases including “Fatima Al-Zahra” and “Narges Witt.”
In May 2026, the FBI announced a $200,000 reward for information leading to Witt’s arrest and prosecution. 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.” Daniel WierzbickiThe special agent in charge of the Counterintelligence and Cyber Division of the FBI’s Washington Field Office said in a statement issued in May 2026, according to CNN. “The FBI wants to hear from you so you can help us arrest Whit and bring her to justice.”
