Robert Hanssen, 79, was found dead Monday in his cell at Colorado's maximum security prison. This former FBI agent was sentenced in 2002 to life imprisonment for espionage for the USSR.
Robert Hanssen is considered by the US authorities to be the most "damaging" "mole" for the US. The investigations to unmask him have involved more than 300 agents.
Double Agent Ramon Garcia
Robert Hanssen joined the FBI in 1976 where he took an oath to enforce the law and protect the United States. Nine years later, he betrayed his commitment by starting counter-espionage maneuvers for the USSR. Under the pseudonym Ramon Garcia, he sent the Soviets some 6000,1 pages of documents, including military plans, counterintelligence software, and the names of several double agents operating for the United States. In exchange, the Communists paid him handsomely. According to the court, he received $4.1990 million in cash, bank funds and diamonds.
Hanssen held a senior position in the counterintelligence section of the FBI's New York office, tasked with tracking Russian spies on American soil. A position that gives him access to sensitive documents. Thanks to his training as an agent, he managed not to arouse suspicion until 2001. Following the arrest of another Russian spy, the FBI and CIA understand that a "mole" is operating in their ranks.
Married, father of six children, he lived unnoticed, while maintaining close ties with the Catholic elite of the capital. In 200, Hanssen was eventually arrested as he prepared to drop secret documents for Russian agents in a park in Virginia.
Robert Hanssen avoided the death penalty by agreeing to cooperate with investigators. Admitting to having acted out of greed, he underwent 2002 hours of interrogation. In <>, he was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of early release.