A Pentagon contractor has been indicted for allegedly leaking classified documents to a Washington Post reporter, while a federal judge temporarily blocked prosecutors from reviewing seized materials from the reporter’s home.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
A federal grand jury in Maryland indicted Aurelio Luis Perez-Lugones, a 61-year-old Pentagon contractor, on charges of mishandling classified information. The indictment alleges he illegally provided sensitive national defense documents to a reporter, who published at least five articles using the material.
On January 14, the FBI raided the Virginia home of Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson, seizing electronic devices and other items. A federal judge later temporarily blocked prosecutors from reviewing the seized materials while the court reviews the newspaper’s request to return Natanson’s equipment.
Deeper Dive & Context
Charges and Allegations
The Justice Department accused Perez-Lugones of unlawfully transmitting and retaining classified information, which carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison. The indictment claims he printed and removed classified documents from his workplace, took them home, and later shared them with the reporter.
Perez-Lugones, a Navy veteran with a top-secret security clearance, worked as a systems engineer and IT specialist for a Defense Department contractor. He was arrested on January 8 and has remained in jail since.
Press Freedom Concerns
The raid on Natanson’s home drew criticism from press freedom groups, who called it a highly unusual and aggressive move. The Washington Post stated that Natanson was told she is not a target of the investigation.
A federal judge’s decision to temporarily block prosecutors from reviewing the seized materials came after the Post filed a motion to return Natanson’s equipment.
Government Response
FBI Director Kash Patel stated in a press release that protecting national security secrets is essential and that the agency will continue to investigate and hold accountable those who undermine it.
The Justice Department emphasized that the charges against Perez-Lugones are unrelated to the reporter’s actions, focusing instead on his alleged mishandling of classified information.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
The case remains under review, with the court set to determine whether the seized materials can be used in the investigation. Legal experts note that the outcome could set precedents for future cases involving journalists and government leaks.