WASHINGTON D.C.: Ashley Tellis, a prominent Indian-origin foreign policy expert with deep ties to the U.S. government, was arrested over the weekend after federal investigators allegedly discovered more than a thousand pages of top secret documents at his home.
The U.S. Justice Department (DoJ) announced on Tuesday that Mr. Tellis, 64, has been formally charged with the unlawful retention of national defence information.
The trove of classified material was reportedly found at the residence of Mr. Tellis, who is a recognized expert on U.S. and South Asian affairs.
Lindsey Halligan, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, was quoted in the DoJ statement as saying, “The charges as alleged in this case represent a grave risk to the safety and security of our citizens.”
If convicted on the charge, Mr. Tellis faces a potential maximum prison term of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.
Mr. Tellis, who grew up in the city of Mumbai before moving to the U.S. for his studies, has held multiple significant roles within the American national security and foreign policy establishment.
He currently serves as a senior adviser in the State Department and works as a contractor with the Office of Net Assessment at the Department of Defense—an office which was renamed the Department of War by the Trump administration. He also previously served on the National Security Council under former President George W. Bush.
Mr. Tellis has not publicly commented on the charges. However, his legal counsel has indicated a strong defence is forthcoming.
His lawyer, Deborah Curtis, told the Associated Press, “we look forward to the hearing, where we’ll be able to present evidence.”
