Archive · 8 Jan 2026
Former CIA Agent Aldrich Ames Dies in Prison
Aldrich Ames was a CIA agent who secretly worked for the Soviet Union and Russia for nine years.
He gave them important secrets and got a lot of money.
He was caught in 1994 and sent to prison for life.
He recently died in prison at the age of 84.
Ames had a hard time with money and alcohol, which led him to do this.
Because of him, some American spies were caught and hurt.
The CIA had to make big changes after he was caught.
Aldrich Ames, a former CIA agent, died in prison at age 84 after being convicted of spying for the Soviet Union and Russia.
He received over $2.5 million for passing classified information, including the identities of CIA agents, to the Soviets and Russians.
Ames's espionage led to the arrest, torture, and execution of several CIA assets, including General Dmitri Polyakov.
He was arrested in 1994 and pleaded guilty to espionage and tax evasion, receiving a life sentence without parole.
His betrayal caused significant damage to the CIA, leading to a major overhaul of the agency's operations.
- Who
- Aldrich Ames, a former CIA agent
- What
- Betrayed the CIA by spying for the Soviet Union and Russia
- When
- From 1985 to 1994, arrested in 1994, died in 2023
- Where
- United States and Soviet Union/Russia
- Why
- Cited financial pressures as the motive
- Name
- Aldrich Ames
- Age at Death
- 84
- Occupation
- Former CIA Agent
- Crime
- Espionage for the Soviet Union and Russia
- Sentence
- Life imprisonment without parole
- Amount Received for Secrets
- Over $2.5 million
- Duration of Espionage
- Nine years
- Date of Arrest
- February 21, 1994