Matthew John Heath[1] (born 1981) is an honorably discharged[2] U.S. Marine Corps veteran, security consultant,[3] and commentator.
On September 9, 2020, Heath was arrested by the government of Venezuela and subsequently charged with offenses related to treason, terrorism and arms trafficking.
After leaving the Marine Corps, Heath worked for the U.S. State Department on the Central Poppy Eradication Program throughout Afghanistan.
[11] In early 2020 Heath had purchased a small 53 foot trawler hulled yacht with plans to start a charter business in the Caribbean.
Heath was charged by the Prosecutor General of Venezuela, Tarek William Saab, with Treason, Terrorism and Arms Trafficking.
[16][17] Venezuelan authorities claim to have arrested him while in possession of an AT4 rocket launcher, an Uzi sub-machine gun, C-4 explosives, pictures of a nearby oil refinery, and large amounts of foreign currency.
[20] In a nationally televised address,[21] Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek Saab labeled Heath a "spy" and "mercenary" and accused him plotting attacks against Venezuela's oil industry and electricity system.
Maduro Alleged Heath was captured carrying "specialized weapons, communications equipment" and large amounts of cash.
Deputy Homeland Security Adviser Joshua Geltzer issued a statement on behalf of NSA Sullivan celebrating Heath's return to the USA.