Indian-Born Defense Analyst Nabbed in Espionage Probe: Secret Docs Vanish, China Ties Exposed

WASHINGTON: A prominent Indian-origin strategist with deep ties to U.S. national security circles has been taken into custody, accused of hoarding classified military files and engaging in repeated contact with Chinese authorities. Ashley Tellis, a seasoned expert on South Asian matters who served as a contractor for the Pentagon and an unpaid consultant to the State Department, now confronts federal allegations that could lead to a decade behind bars.

According to unsealed court documents, Tellis is alleged to have improperly accessed and extracted sensitive Air Force materials detailing operational tactics and methodologies. The charges, lodged under 18 USC § 793(e) for the unauthorized retention of national defense information, stem from an ongoing FBI investigation into potential breaches of security protocols. If found guilty, Tellis risks up to 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, a $100 special assessment, and asset forfeiture, though final penalties would hinge on judicial review of sentencing guidelines and related factors.

The probe gained traction after surveillance revealed Tellis’s frequent interactions with Chinese government representatives. An FBI affidavit, released Tuesday, describes multiple dinners at a Fairfax, Virginia, restaurant involving Tellis and Chinese officials. During one such gathering in April 2023, in a Washington, D.C., suburb, he was overheard discussing Iran-China dynamics alongside cutting-edge fields like artificial intelligence. On another occasion, Tellis arrived with a manila envelope that he appeared to leave behind, while in two instances, the Chinese attendees handed him gift bags upon departure.

Tellis’s professional footprint includes his role at the Office of Net Assessment (ONA), the Pentagon’s internal foresight unit tasked with forecasting long-term threats—a division slated for restructuring, as announced by the Defense Department in March. As an adviser to the State Department without compensation, he wielded influence on policy discussions, particularly concerning regional geopolitics.

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U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan for the Eastern District of Virginia, who unveiled the complaint, underscored the stakes: “We are fully focused on protecting the American people from all threats, foreign and domestic. The charges as alleged in this case represent a grave risk to the safety and security of our citizens.” Halligan added that the evidence and legal framework are straightforward, vowing to pursue accountability rigorously.

The arrest, detailed in filings cited by AFP, highlights escalating concerns over foreign influence in U.S. defense advisory networks. Tellis’s background as a scholar and commentator on international affairs had positioned him as a go-to voice on Indo-Pacific strategies, making the unfolding case a stark reminder of vulnerabilities within even the most vetted circles.