US charges State Department adviser for retention of classified documents

ISTANBUL

US authorities arrested and charged a State Department adviser last weekend for the unlawful retention of national defense information, according to the Justice Department.

Ashley Tellis, 64, faces charges under federal law prohibiting unauthorized possession of documents relating to national defense.

"The facts and the law in this case are clear, and we will continue following them to ensure that justice is served," said US Attorney Lindsey Halligan for the Eastern District of Virginia.

The agency said Tellis served as an unpaid senior adviser to the State Department and worked as a contractor with the Office of Net Assessment at the Department of Defense, Fox News reported.

He had access to highly classified information and could access sensitive data.

Authorities seized more than 1,000 pages of documents marked “TOP SECRET” and “SECRET” during a search of Tellis's home in the state of Virginia, according to court documents.

Federal prosecutors allege that Tellis met Chinese government officials multiple times, and removed classified documents from secure locations since 2023.

Tellis faces a maximum of 10 years' imprisonment and up to $250,000 in fines.

He previously served as senior adviser to the US ambassador to New Delhi and as special assistant to former US President George W. Bush on the National Security Council.

Tellis appeared in court for the first time Tuesday, and a detention hearing will take place Oct. 21, CNN reported.