Spy jailed for 365 years

Press, 30 August 1986, Page 10

Spy jailed for 365 years

NZPA-Reuter San Francisco Jerry Whitworth, a key member of the Walker family spy ring that sold United States Navy secrets to the Soviet Union, was called one of the most spectacular spies of this century’ by the judge who sentenced him to 365 years in prison. Whitworth, aged 47, who was convicted yesterday of stealing United States Navy communications secrets for the confessed spymaster, John Walker, will now most likely die in prison if an appeals court does not overrule his penalty. In his sentencing, Federal District Judge John Vukasin ruled that Whitworth would not be eligible for parole for 60 years, at which time he would be 107. “Few crimes are as heinous as the crimes for which Jerry Whitworth is convicted,” Judge Vukasin said. “He furnished the Soviets with the very blueprint of our most coveted and guarded communications.”

Judge Vukasin also ordered Whitworth to serve three- to five-year terms on tax evasion charges and ordered him to pay a SUS4IO,OOO ($840,500) fine. The tax charges stemmed from Whitworth’s failure to pay taxes on $U5332,000 ($680,600) the Government said he was paid by Soviet agents. A defence lawyer, James Larson, accused the Government of going overboard in prosecuting Whitworth and said he would appeal against the long prison sentences. Under an arrangement, in which he pleaded guilty, Walker will be sentenced in October to life in prison.