Vienna Man Unlawfully Retained Classified National Defense Documents, Prosecutors Say

VIENNA, VA — A Vienna man who has worked with the U.S. Department of State and Department of Defense is facing a charge over unlawfully keeping national defense documents.

Ashley Tellis, 64, of Vienna is charged with unlawful retention of national defense information. The announcement came from U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Lindsey Halligan, a Trump ally who took over the post after Erik Seibert resigned amid pressure from the administration.

The allegation claims a violation of federal law on unauthorized possession of national defense information that could be used against the U.S. to the advantage of a foreign nation. Per a 2009 presidential executive order, classified national security information may only be stored and discussed in approved facilities by those eligible to access it.

"The charges as alleged in this case represent a grave risk to the safety and security of our citizens," said Halligan in a statement. "The facts and the law in this case are clear, and we will continue following them to ensure that justice is served."

According to an FBI agent's affidavit, Tellis has been with the U.S. Department of State since 2001 and is currently an unpaid senior advisor with expertise in India and South Asian affairs. He is also a contractor for the Office of Net Assessment within the Department of Defense and is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. His Department of State and Department of Defense roles give Tellis a top secret security clearance.

The affidavit says Tellis had a coworker print multiple classified documents on Sept. 12, 2025 at the Mark Center in Alexandria. Investigators found the documents in a cubicle Tellis used, including a top secret classified document. On Sept. 25, 2025, investigators say Tellis printed portions of a document titled with a reference to U.S. Air Force strategies and procedures at the Department of State's Harry S. Truman Building. He also printed documents concerning U.S. Air Force military aircraft.

According to the affidavit, Tellis left the Mark Center on Oct. 10, 2025 with documents, including the top secret classified document, he obtained on Sept. 12, 2025.

Prosecutors say Tellis has meet with officials from the People's Republic of China over several years. On Sept. 15, 2022, Tellis met with Chinese officials at a Fairfax restaurant. The affidavit said Tellis arrived with a manila envelope but did not appear to leave the restaurant with the envelope. There was no evidence presented that the envelope contained classified U.S. information.

Tellis and Chinese officials met again at a restaurant in Fairfax on April 11, 2023 and March 19, 2024, speaking about Iranian-Chinese relations and technologies like artificial intelligence in 2023 and U.S. Pakistan relations in 2024.

Another dinner in Fairfax on Sept. 2, 2025 involved Chinese officials giving Tellis a red gift bag, according to the affidavit.

Investigators' search of Tellis's Vienna home found thousands of pages of documents with top secret or secret classifications. The documents were in locked cabinets, in the area of a desk and in trash bags.

Tellis faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a fine up to a $250,000, a $100 special assessment and forfeiture if convicted.

A lawyer for Tellis told the Associated Press "we look forward to the hearing, where we’ll be able to present evidence."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.