Contractor Accused of Stealing Secrets, Meeting Chinese Agents

Concerns over national security have escalated with the arrest of Ashley Tellis, a Pentagon contractor and State Department advisor with expertise in South Asian affairs. He is accused of illegally retaining classified U.S. documents related to Air Force operational methods and techniques. A sworn FBI affidavit reveals a series of meetings Tellis allegedly had with Chinese government officials over a period of years. These encounters, which took place in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, included discussions on geopolitical issues and advanced technologies such as AI. Tellis’s position within the Office of Net Assessment (ONA), a Pentagon think tank, and his advisory role at the State Department, provided him access to sensitive information. The affidavit details specific instances, including Tellis carrying a manila envelope to a meeting and Chinese officials presenting him with gifts. The charges against him focus on the unlawful retention of national defense information, carrying a maximum penalty of ten years imprisonment. U.S. authorities are prioritizing the investigation to ensure justice and protect national interests.