A sentencing hearing for a U.S. soldier who pleaded guilty to attempting to sell military secrets to a Russian spy has begun at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska.

Spc. William Colton Millay faces life in prison after pleading guilty in March to charges including attempted espionage, soliciting another to commit espionage and communicating national defense information.

The Army says the 24-year-old military policeman had access to classified information that he believed could hurt the U.S. and provided it to an undercover FBI agent who was posing as Russian intelligence.

An eight-member panel is debating Millay’s sentence Monday.

Authorities say the Kentucky native also was motivated by his disgust with the government and military.

Officials say there is no connection between Millay and Bradley Manning, the Army private accused of disclosing information to WikiLeaks.