Judge grants lawyers more time in classified missile defense documents case
A federal judge has agreed to a two-month pause on grand jury proceedings for a missile defense worker accused of illegally removing classified documents from a secure office.
Ewa Maria Ciszak was arrested in late June after a monthslong investigation by federal agents and a search of her Huntsville residence. Federal Magistrate Judge John H. England last week granted a joint motion by her attorney and federal prosecutors for an additional 60 days before a grand jury is convened in her case.
The delay will allow attorneys to consider a possible plea agreement, according to court filings.
Ciszak’s attorney, Robert Tuten of Huntsville, described documents related to the government’s case as, “secret, sealed and voluminous.” Ciszak, in turn, waived her right to a speedy trial in light of the case’s complexity.
According to a federal complaint filed by the FBI, Ciszak knowingly removed classified documents or materials from her workplace between February and June with the intent to keep them in an unauthorized location. She was released after posting $25,000 bond in Savannah, Ga., where she was arrested, AL.com reported.
Ciszak was initially identified as a civilian Defense Department employee at the Missile Defense Agency, but court documents filed last week say she works for, “a missile defense contractor supporting NASA.”
According to the judge’s new order, grand jury proceedings will take place no sooner than Sept. 18.
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