While still in his twenties, FBI agent Eric O'Neill helped bring down one of the most dangerous spies in U. S. history. In 2001, O'Neill worked in Washington, D. C., as an assistant to Robert Hanssen, an agent in charge of computer technology. However, O'Neill was assigned to watch Hanssen and find out if he was working with the Russian government. The FBI did not yet know for certain that Hanssen had been participating in espionage. Unknown to them, he had been working for Russia and the Soviet Union for more than two decades. He first gave information to Russian spies in 1979, just a few years after joining the FBI. Hanssen continued to negotiate the sale of secrets, including the names of U. S. spies working in Russia. In exchange, he received over $1 million in cash and diamonds. His activities put many people and government operations at risk. For many years, the FBI searched for the name of the double agent that was causing so much damage. They even placed Hanssen in charge of gathering computer data to help solve his own crime. Yet, Hanssen continued to evade his agency. During his secret operations, he was careful never to reveal his real name or what he looked like. By 2001, a former Russian spy gave the FBI a tape recording of Hanssen speaking with Russian spies. The FBI also found his fingerprints on a trash bag that was used to exchange secret information. Although the FBI had proof of Hanssen's misconduct, it decided to catch him in the act before arresting him. The FBI knew that Hanssen placed information for Russians in trash bags, which he left in public places. He also used signals to alert the Russians to pick up the packages and left before they arrived.
The FBI instructed O'Neill to find out when and where the next drop-off would occur. O'Neill found the information in Hanssen's office, and the FBI arrested Hanssen after he left a package with secret information in a public park. As a result, Hanssen was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The true impact of his crimes is immeasurable.
After receiving his law degree in 2003, Eric O'Neill retired from the FBI. His story is featured in the 2007 movie Breach starring Ryan Phillippe.