LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr., along with the Justice Department and Pentagon are conducting "an active, ongoing criminal investigation." Sources say the FBI is examining everyone who came into possession of the documents, including those who gave the materials to WikiLeaks. It must be noted that No charges are imminent, and it is not yet known if any will be brought.

Officials say that prosecutions involving leaked classified information are difficult because the Espionage Act is a 1917 statute that preceded Supreme Court cases that expanded First Amendment protections. The government also would have to persuade another country to turn over Assange, who resides outside of the United States.

Sources speaking on the condition of anonymity say the inquiry is rapidly unfolding. The U.S. attorney's office in Alexandria is involved in the effort. That office brought Espionage Act charges against two former pro-Israel lobbyists which were later dropped.

The Pentagon is leading the investigation and it remains unclear whether any additional charges would be brought in the military or civilian justice systems. Pfc. Bradley Manning, an Army intelligence analyst suspected of being the source of the WikiLeaks documents, was arrested by the military this year.

Holder was asked how the U.S. could prosecute Assange, who is an Australian citizen. "Let me be very clear," he replied. "It is not saber rattling.

"To the extent there are gaps in our laws," Holder continued, "we will move to close those gaps, which is not to say . . . that anybody at this point, because of their citizenship or their residence, is not a target or a subject of an investigation that's ongoing." He did not indicate that Assange is being investigated for possible violations of the Espionage Act.