Like former President Donald J. Trump, Lt. Col. Robert Birchum was accused in Florida of mishandling classified documents. Like the former president, he was charged with violating the Espionage Act. But unlike Mr. Trump, Mr. Birchum, 55, a highly decorated Air Force intelligence officer, took full responsibility. Despite all that, Mr. Birchum still got three years in prison when he was sentenced this month. The case and others like it are warning signs for Mr. Trump, who faces 31 counts of willfully retaining national defense secrets, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

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Persons: Donald J, Trump, Robert Birchum, Birchum Organizations: Air Force Locations: Florida