Robert Hanssen (spy)
FBI agent Robert Hanssen was arrested for spying for Russia for 22 years. He is considered the most damaging spy in FBI history, compromising dozens of agents. He died in prison in 2023.
On February 18, 2001, FBI agent Robert Hanssen was arrested at Foxstone Park in Vienna, Virginia while making a dead drop for Russian intelligence. He had been spying for the Soviet Union and Russia for 22 years.
Hanssen compromised dozens of intelligence operations, revealed the identities of three KGB agents working for the U.S. (two of whom were executed), and provided thousands of classified documents.
His espionage was particularly devastating because he held senior counterintelligence positions—he was literally the person tasked with catching spies like himself.
Hanssen pleaded guilty to 15 counts of espionage and was sentenced to 15 consecutive life sentences. He died in federal prison on June 5, 2023. His story was depicted in the film 'Breach.'
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