Before he was sentenced in November in U.S. District Court in Boston, Teixeira showed little emotion as he stood in court and apologized for his actions. The 22-year-old previously admitted he illegally collected some of the nation's most sensitive secrets and shared them with other users on the social media platform Discord.
"I wanted to say I'm sorry for all the harm that I brought and caused," Teixeira said. "I understand all the responsibility and consequences fall upon my shoulders alone and accept whatever that will bring."
Afterward, Teixeira hugged one of his attorneys, looked toward his family and smiled before being led from court. His family left without commenting to reporters, but his mother and others submitted letters to the court seeking leniency.