The years-long legal battle between Julian Assange and the federal government could soon come to an end as the Department of Justice is reportedly considering a plea deal for the Australian WikiLeaks founder.
Assange has faced a litany of charges over the years, including 17 counts of espionage and one count of computer misuse. If convicted he could face nearly two centuries in prison. Assange's advocates argue that WikiLeaks is a legitimate journalistic endeavor protected by the First Ammendment, while his detractors have dismissed him as a spy who aided foreign enemies.
Assange spent seven-and-a-half years residing in the Ecudorian Embassy in the United Kingdom to avoid extradition to Sweden and the United States before the Latin American country revoked his asylum.
The DOJ is said to be in talks with Assange regarding a possible plea deal, according to the Wall Street Journal. If Assange agreed, he would plead guilty to a lesser charge of mishandling classified documents and the five years he spent behind bars in the United Kingdom would count as time served.
This is a developing story. Please check back for more updates.
