GovernmentPolicy

Former White House India Adviser Ashley Tellis Charged Under Espionage Act for Classified Documents

Ashley Tellis, a former White House India adviser and State Department official, faces Espionage Act charges after FBI agents discovered over 1,000 pages of classified materials at his Northern Virginia residence. The arrest follows an October raid where documents marked “top secret” were recovered alongside allegations of meetings with Chinese officials.

In a significant national security development, Ashley Tellis—a former White House National Security Council staffer and current State Department adviser—has been arrested and charged under the Espionage Act of 1917 for illegally retaining more than 1,000 pages of classified documents at his Northern Virginia home. The case, unfolding in Alexandria’s federal court, highlights grave concerns about sensitive information handling by high-level officials with access to critical intelligence.

Arrest and Initial Court Proceedings