Oak Ridge worker pleads not guilty to trying to sell nuclear secrets

A former Bechtel Jacobs contract worker has pleaded not guilty to stealing nuclear secrets from the East Tennessee Technology Park (ETTP), the former K-25 site, in Oak Ridge.

Roy Lynn Oakley, age 65, of Roane County was indicted on charges of trying to sell classified material to a foreign country in violation of the Atomic Energy Act.

He last worked at the Oak Ridge site in January.

Oakley appeared in a federal courtroom in Knoxville Thursday afternoon, represented by his attorney Herb Moncier. He entered a plea of not guilty.

CLICK HERE to read the indictment against Oakley.

Oakley's attorney feels the case has been mischaracterized in the national press.

"All I can tell you is that we're dealing with 3 to five pieces of broken pipe that were going to be thrown away," Moncier said. "Broken rods that were going to be thrown away, that's what we're dealing with. And we're dealing with a friendly nation and a government undercover agent that was buying these for the enrichment of an energy, to a friendly nation. Y'all make your conclusions."

His arrest is connected to a January 19 raid conducted by federal authorities on a Midtown home and office. At the time, investigators said they were looking for goods stolen from the ETTP.

Oakley apparently worked as a contract "escort" at ETTP, taking visitors to and from various offices at the lab.

Oakley was arrested as part of a months-long sting operation in which federal agents posed as agents of a foreign country seeking to buy the classified materials.

FBI officials say Oakley had access to hardware used for gaseous diffusion in uranium enrichment, and that he tried to sell that technology to agents posing as representatives of a foreign government.

The Justice Department says no materials ended up in the hands of any foreign government or terrorist organization.

Documents show Oakley owns a mobile home park and an apartment complex near Harriman.

He turned himself in to authorities Thursday morning.

If convicted, Oakley faces up to 10 years in prison, and fines of up to $250,000.

After his arraignment, Oakley posted a $25,000 signature bond and was released. His next court appearance is scheduled for September.