Spy’s Long Sentence Upheld

SAN FRANCISCO — A federal appeals court today upheld former Navy radioman Jerry Whitworth’s espionage convictions and 365-year prison sentence for peddling communications secrets to the Soviet Union as a key member of the John Walker spy ring.

In a 3-0 decision, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said there was ample evidence that Whitworth, who admitted stealing cryptographic information but denied knowing its destination, knew that the material was being sold to the Soviets. Walker pleaded guilty in a federal court in Maryland and was sentenced to life in prison, with parole possible in 10 years. The court today rejected defense arguments that Whitworth should be treated no more harshly than Walker.