A U.S. navy sailor on Monday pleaded guilty to charges of stealing classified military data, CBS News reported.

The sailor, Ariel J. Weinmann, 22, also admitted he had tried to transmit classified military data to foreign agents in October, 2005 while he was in Austria.

Weinmann had served as a fire control technician on the Connecticut-based submarine USS Albuquerque before he deserted his post and moved to Austria in July 2005.

He was arrested in March after flying back to the United States.

Weinmann said had he made copies of classified military data on a laptop computer, which he brought with him to Austria.

He faces a life sentence without parole, and will be discharged from navy without honor.

Source: Xinhua