A Pentagon contractor was indicted Thursday on federal charges accusing him of illegally removing classified national defense information from his workplace and sharing it with a journalist, in a high-profile case connected to last week's FBI search of a Washington Post reporter's home.
Aurelio Luis Perez-Lugones, 61, of Laurel, Maryland, faces five counts of unlawfully transmitting classified information and one count of unlawfully retaining it, according to the Justice Department. The allegations stem from his role as a systems engineer and IT specialist with top-secret clearance at a government contractor, where he allegedly printed sensitive documents and took them home.
Authorities say Perez-Lugones passed the materials to a reporter who used them in at least five published articles. Investigators recovered phone messages discussing the transfers, including one where he wrote he was 'going quiet for a bit' after sending a document. Classified printouts marked 'SECRET' were found in his home and car, including one hidden in a lunchbox.
"Illegally disclosing classified defense information is a grave crime against America that puts both our national security and the lives of our military heroes at risk.
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi
The case gained national attention after FBI agents raided the Virginia home of Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson on January 14, 2026, seizing her phone, laptops, recorder, hard drive, and smartwatch as part of the probe.
Press freedom advocates have criticized the search as overly aggressive, arguing it threatens journalistic protections. The Post called it an 'outrageous seizure' that 'chills speech' and harms reporting, and has sought the return of the devices.
A federal judge in Alexandria temporarily blocked the government from reviewing the seized materials and set a February 6 hearing on the newspaper's motion. Natanson was told she is not the target of the investigation.
Details of the Alleged Leak
Perez-Lugones, arrested January 8 and jailed since, allegedly accessed classified reports—including one involving a foreign country in October—and printed them out. He has remained in custody, with no immediate comment from his attorneys.
FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized the risks to national security, while the Justice Department stressed accountability for mishandling sensitive information under 18 U.S.C. § 793(e).
Broader Implications for Press and Leaks
The incident has raised alarms about the Trump administration's approach to leak probes involving journalists, with critics viewing the home search as an escalation that could intimidate sources and reporters covering government matters.
Key Elements of the Case
The probe centers on unauthorized transmission of classified data, with evidence from messages and recovered documents. No charges have been filed against the reporter.
✓ Five counts of unlawful transmission of classified info
✓ One count of unlawful retention of classified info
✓ Documents printed from secure facility and shared
✓ FBI search of reporter's home linked to investigation
Natanson covers the Trump administration's federal workforce changes and recently described building extensive sources in government.
What's Next in the Investigation
With Perez-Lugones indicted and in custody, the focus shifts to potential trial proceedings and the ongoing dispute over the seized devices from the reporter's home. The case highlights tensions between national security enforcement and press freedoms.
Press advocates continue to decry the tactics, while officials defend the actions as necessary to protect classified information and prevent harm to U.S. interests.
The outrageous seizure of our reporter’s confidential newsgathering materials chills speech, cripples reporting, and inflicts irreparable harm every day the government keeps its hands on these materials.— The Washington Post statement
As the legal battles unfold, this incident underscores ongoing debates about leak prosecutions, journalist protections, and government transparency in the current administration.
