Indian-origin US defence expert Ashley J Tellis arrested over unlawful retention of national defence information

The 64-year-old scholar was arrested over the weekend.

US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia said if convicted, Tellis is subject to a maximum of ten years’ imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, a $100 special assessment and forfeiture.

"Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties," the statement said.

The statement said a federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

“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,” said U.S. Attorney Halligan. “The facts and the law in this case are clear, and we will continue following them to ensure that justice is served.”

Who is Ashley J Tellis?

As per the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace website, Ashley J. Tellis is the Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs and a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, specialising in international security and U.S. foreign and defence policy with a special focus on Asia and the Indian subcontinent.

"While on assignment to the U.S. Department of State as senior adviser to the undersecretary of state for political affairs, he was intimately involved in negotiating the civil nuclear agreement with India," reads the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace website.

Previously, he was commissioned into the U.S. Foreign Service and served as senior adviser to the ambassador at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi.

He also served on the National Security Council staff as special assistant to President George W. Bush and senior director for strategic planning and Southwest Asia.