John Anthony Walker

In May 1985, the FBI were tipped off to Walker’s activities by Walker’s then ex-wife Barbara, whom he had refused to pay alimony.[1] Following an investigation, the FBI arrested Walker, Whitworth, Arthur Walker and Michael Walker. Ironically, Walker himself was arrested using a trick he used to catch people in adultery cases: telephoning their hotel room and telling them that their car was broken into.[1] Barbara Walker was not prosecuted because of her role in disclosing the ring.[1][4] Former KGB agent Victor Cherkashin, however, details in his book “Spy Handler” that Walker was compromised by an FBI spy named Martynov, who overheard a conversation by chance in Moscow. Documents in his trial, Cherkashin argues, claimed that Martynov played a crucial role in the compromise of Walker’s cover.[8]

Walker cooperated with authorities and in a plea bargain, he agreed to submit to an unchallenged conviction and life sentence, provide a full disclosure of the details of his spying and give testimony against Jerry Whitworth in exchange for a pledge from the prosecutors that his son would receive a sentence of no more than 25 years imprisonment.[9][2] All of the members of the spy ring besides Michael Walker received life sentences for their role in the espionage. Jerry Whitworth was sentenced to 365 years in prison and was fined $410,000 dollars for his involvement.

Walker’s son Michael, who had a relatively minor role in the ring and agreed to testify in exchange for a reduced sentence, was released from prison on parole in February 2000.[1]

Walker is currently BOP Prisoner number 22449-037 and is incarcerated at a United States Medical Center for Federal Prisoners (MCFP). His earliest possible parole date is 20 May 2015, at which point he will have served 30 years in prison.

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