Spy Confesses to Get Lighter Term for Son : John Walker to Serve Life; Michael to Have ‘Lenient’ 25-Yr. Term

John A. Walker Jr., mastermind of one of the most damaging spy rings since the Cold War, today admitted spying for the Soviet Union for 17 years and will get life in prison as part of a deal with the government that won leniency for his son.

The elder Walker, a retired naval communications expert, pleaded guilty to three counts of espionage, including a new indictment that accused him of 20 covert acts of spying between 1968 and 1985. Walker’s son, Michael, pleaded guilty to five similar counts.

In return for a 25-year sentence for Michael Walker, the father and son agreed to cooperate fully with the government--including testifying against Jerry Whitworth, another former Navy man, at his spy trial in California.

John Walker’s lawyer, public defender Fred Bennett, said the Soviet spy accepted a life term so his son can someday be free.

‘Loves His Son’

“John Walker loves his son very much,” Bennett said. “He is more concerned for his son’s future than for his own.”

John Walker will be eligible for parole in 10 years, but Bennett acknowledged that he probably will spend the rest of his life behind bars. But, Bennett said, “Michael will be out of jail before his 40th birthday.” Actually Michael, 22, is eligible for parole in eight years.

Under the agreement, approved by Judge Alexander Harvey II, the Walkers also will reveal complete details of their spying efforts to help the government assess how damaging the secrets that the Russians received are to America’s naval operations, particularly its submarine network.

Although Harvey approved the deal, he will not sentence the Walkers until they cooperate with government inquiries into John Walker’s activities. Bennett said sentencing could be conducted in four to six months.

Brother Also Convicted

The fourth member of the spy ring, John Walker’s brother, Arthur, 50, also a retired Navy officer, was convicted in August of stealing secret documents from his employer, a Virginia defense contractor. He is awaiting sentencing.

Investigators say John Walker and the ring members obtained information from the world’s largest naval base in Norfolk, Va., and Navy installations on the West Coast where Whitworth lives. They also say John Walker went as far as Vienna and Hong Kong to meet Soviet contacts.

Officials have characterized the ring as the most damaging to U.S. security in 30 years.

John Walker, 48, pleaded guilty to three counts of espionage and will receive two life terms plus 10 years to run concurrently. He faced more than $500,000 in fines but will pay only $100 in court costs. The government dropped a pending income tax evasion case.

Michael Walker, who also faced life in jail, pleaded guilty to five counts of espionage and will receive 25 years plus four 10 year terms, also concurrently. A possible court-martial was dropped against Michael, a sailor on the aircraft carrier Nimitz.