Missile Defense Agency employee charged with unlawful retention of classified documents

A civilian Department of Defense employee from Huntsville made her initial court appearance Tuesday to face charges of unauthorized removal and retention of classified documents, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Ewa Maria Ciszak, 64, was charged with knowingly removing and retaining classified documents and materials. She had been employed at the Missile Defense Agency since January 2023. As part of her duties, she held a security clearance and had access to classified materials related to the national defense of the United States, the Justice Department news release said. RELATED: