Ashley Tellis Charged: Secret Documents, China Meetings Spark Security Probe

A complex investigation is underway after Ashley Tellis, a defense contractor and State Department advisor, was arrested for allegedly holding onto classified U.S. documents and meeting with Chinese government representatives. Tellis, recognized for his expertise in South Asian foreign policy, is said to have accessed and removed sensitive information detailing U.S. Air Force tactics. An FBI affidavit, made public this week, outlines Tellis’s repeated interactions with Chinese officials over recent years, including a dinner where he reportedly discussed Iran-China relations and cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence. His affiliation with the Pentagon’s Office of Net Assessment (ONA), a strategic foresight group, and his unpaid role at the State Department, highlight the sensitive nature of his alleged activities. Reports indicate he carried a manila envelope to a meeting and was gifted items by Chinese officials. Tellis faces charges for the unlawful retention of national defense information, a crime punishable by up to ten years in prison. Prosecutors have underscored the severe threat such alleged breaches pose to U.S. safety and security.