Ashley Tellis, a 64-year-old India-origin foreign policy expert, authorities arrested over the weekend after they discovered more than a thousand pages of top-secret U.S. defense documents at his residence. The U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) confirmed on Tuesday that it charged Mr. Tellis with the unlawful retention of national defense information, a serious offense under U.S. law.
High-Ranking Strategist Tellis Arrested Over Secret Documents
Born and raised in Mumbai, Mr. Tellis later moved to the United States for higher studies. Over the years, he became closely associated with the U.S. government, holding senior advisory positions and gaining access to highly classified information. His professional roles have included serving on the National Security Council under former President George W. Bush. He currently works as a contractor with the Office of Net Assessment at the Department of Defense, and the Trump administration reportedly renamed the office the Department of War.
The charges state that Mr. Tellis allegedly retained sensitive documents that could endanger U.S. national security. If convicted, he could face a maximum prison term of 10 years and fines up to $250,000. U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan, representing the Eastern District of Virginia, described the case as posing a “grave risk to the safety and security of our citizens.”
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Mr. Tellis’ lawyers, Deborah Curtis and John Nassikas, have denied the allegations. They stated that they would “vigorously contest” the charges and emphasized that any suggestion of him acting on behalf of a foreign adversary is false. They also highlighted his reputation as a respected scholar and senior policy advisor.
Alleged Incidents and FBI Investigation
Court documents accessed by Reuters reveal details of several alleged incidents over the past two months. The FBI affidavit notes that Mr. Tellis reportedly entered U.S. State and Defense Department buildings multiple times, where he was seen printing classified documents, including material related to U.S. military aircraft capabilities. Surveillance footage reportedly captured him leaving these buildings carrying a briefcase or bag, raising suspicion among authorities.
The investigation also points to interactions with Chinese government officials. The affidavit cites one meeting in September 2022 at a Fairfax, Virginia, restaurant, where Mr. Tellis allegedly arrived with a manila envelope but was seen leaving without it. These meetings are under scrutiny due to the highly sensitive nature of his work and the potential exposure of classified information.
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The search of Mr. Tellis’ home in Vienna, Virginia, reportedly led to the discovery of more than 1,000 pages of documents marked as “top secret” or “secret.” The documents are said to contain sensitive defense-related information, including technical data on U.S. military capabilities. The DoJ’s statement described the charges as involving material that could threaten national defense if improperly disclosed.
Career and Public Profile of Tellis
Ashley Tellis has gained wide recognition for his expertise on U.S., India, and China relations. In addition to his government roles, he has written extensively and provided analysis for international media outlets. He currently holds the Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and has shared his commentary on major global policy issues.
Earlier this month, prominent journalist Karan Thapar interviewed Mr. Tellis, and he discussed topics such as the Trump administration’s tariffs on India and India’s strategic importance to U.S. foreign policy. His insights into global security and defense strategy have made him a recognized figure in both American and Indian policy circles.
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Despite his public presence, the allegations against Mr. Tellis focus on his access to and retention of classified U.S. defense materials. The U.S. Justice Department has framed these charges as serious threats to national security, reflecting the gravity of handling top-secret government information.
As the legal proceedings move forward, Mr. Tellis’ case highlights the scrutiny placed on individuals with access to sensitive defense data, as well as the measures taken by authorities to protect national security interests.