Contractor indicted on six counts in classified documents leak case.

A grand jury in Maryland has formally indicted Aurelio Luis Perez-Lugones, a 61-year-old federal contractor, on charges related to the unauthorized retention and dissemination of classified national security information. The allegations assert that Perez-Lugones, who has possessed a top-secret security clearance since at least 1995, accessed and removed sensitive documents from secured facilities in violation of federal guidelines.

According to the indictment filed in federal court, Perez-Lugones is charged with one count of retaining classified information and five counts of sharing such information. If found guilty, he could face up to a decade in prison. The indictment contends that the defendant printed classified materials, took them home, and subsequently shared them with a reporter from the Washington Post. The information reportedly contributed to multiple articles published by the newspaper, prompting concerns over the protection of sensitive intelligence and national security operations.

The investigation into Perez-Lugones led law enforcement officials to execute a search warrant at the residence of the Washington Post reporter, Hannah Natanson, last week. The seizure of her electronic devices has raised significant First Amendment concerns among advocacy groups, as such actions are perceived as potential intimidation tactics against the press. It is noteworthy that, under current U.S. law, journalists are not explicitly penalized for obtaining or publishing classified information. Natanson has not been named as a target in the investigation and has not been charged.

The indictment further details that Perez-Lugones’ leaks included materials that were incorporated into at least five articles co-written by Natanson between late October 2022 and early January 2023. Federal prosecutors allege he had no legitimate reason to access the classified materials, yet he repeatedly copied and printed significant portions for external use. Prosecutors have linked the timing of specific leaks to the publication dates of articles featuring sensitive information concerning U.S. interactions with Venezuela, including military assessments and operational strategies.

In the wake of Perez-Lugones’ arrest earlier this month, authorities uncovered communications between him and Natanson that detailed classified document levels and the output of various U.S. government agencies. The Washington Post has since contested the legality of the search and seizure, arguing that it threatens journalistic freedom and impedes Natanson’s ability to report effectively.

In addition to the seizure of electronic devices, the newspaper has also received subpoenas demanding information regarding communications related to Perez-Lugones. The Post’s legal team is actively working to mitigate any potential infringements on press rights. The legal proceedings unfolding in this case will likely have significant implications for the intersection of national security and press freedom in the United States.