Authorities say army contractor James Thomas Ashbacher shared top-secret data online and stole night-vision goggles

The FBI has arrested a former North Carolina government contractor for allegedly leaking classified national defense information on social media.

James Thomas Ashbacher, 37, of Spring Lake, was taken into custody after charges that he shared top-secret safety data online, unlawfully stored national defense materials at his residence and stole night-vision equipment from the US army special operations command.

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© Photograph: Chris Seward/AP

© Photograph: Chris Seward/AP

© Photograph: Chris Seward/AP

The surge is especially pronounced in Texas, where voters are deciding closely watched Senate, House and governor's races. More than 6.3 million Texans had voted early as of Wednesday, compared with 4.2 million at the same point four years ago, a 50% increase.