National security is under scrutiny following the arrest of Ashley Tellis, a contractor with ties to the Pentagon and the State Department. Tellis, specializing in South Asian affairs, is accused of illegally possessing and removing classified U.S. documents concerning Air Force strategies. Court filings indicate a disturbing pattern of meetings with Chinese government officials spanning several years. According to an FBI affidavit, these meetings occurred in a Washington D.C. suburb, with one instance in April 2023 involving discussions about Iran, China, and advanced technologies like AI. Tellis’s role at the Office of Net Assessment (ONA), the Pentagon’s foresight unit, and as an unpaid State Department advisor, placed him in a position of trust. Evidence suggests he carried a manila envelope to a meeting and received gift bags from Chinese officials on other occasions. The charges brought against him include unlawful retention of national defense information, a serious offense that could lead to a decade in prison and substantial financial penalties. Authorities have stressed their commitment to safeguarding American citizens and national security.
US Arrests Contractor for Secret Docs and Alleged Chinese Espionage
By The Chhattisgarh1 Min Read