Prominent U.S.-India relations Expert Arrested on Charges of Retaining classified Information
Vienna, Virginia – October 14, 2025 – Ashley Tellis, a leading expert on U.S.-India relations who has advised multiple U.S. administrations, was arrested this weekend and charged with unlawful retention of national defense information, according to court documents unsealed today. The arrest follows allegations that Tellis possessed over a thousand pages of classified documents, marked “top secret” and “secret,” at his home in Vienna, Virginia.
Tellis, 64, previously served on the National Security Council under former President George W. Bush and currently works as an unpaid advisor to the State Department and a contractor for the Pentagon, according to an FBI affidavit. He is also a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a Washington D.C.-based think tank.
The FBI affidavit details observations from September and October of this year, alleging Tellis accessed and printed classified documents – including information regarding military aircraft capabilities – while visiting Defense and State Department buildings, departing with the materials in a leather briefcase or bag.
A search of Tellis’ residence on Saturday reportedly uncovered the extensive collection of classified documents. The affidavit also notes multiple meetings between Tellis and Chinese government officials in recent years,including a dinner on September 15 in Fairfax,Virginia,where he was observed arriving with a manila envelope he did not have upon leaving.
tellis held a Top Secret security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information due to his roles with the State Department and Pentagon.
“We are fully focused on protecting the American people from all threats, foreign and domestic,” stated Lindsey Halligan, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “The charges as alleged in this case represent a grave risk to the safety and security of our citizens.”
If convicted, Tellis faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
A State Department official confirmed the arrest but declined further comment.A Pentagon official stated thay do not comment on ongoing litigation. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace has not yet responded to requests for comment, and Tellis could not be instantly reached. His legal representation is currently unknown.
The arrest comes amid heightened scrutiny of the handling of classified information,with Trump administration officials,including Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard,having pledged to prosecute those who mishandle such materials.