NSA leaker/whistleblower Eric Snowden charged with espionage and theft of government property

The AP is reporting that NSA leaker Eric Snowden has been charged with:

• unauthorized communication of national defense information
• willful communication of classified communications intelligence information
• theft of government property. All three crimes carry a maximum 10-year prison penalty

Each crime could result in a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

After providing the news media with information regarding two highly classified NSA surveillance programs, Snowden is believed to be hiding in China.