U.S. Indicts Contractor Accused Of Sharing Classified Military Reports With Washington Post Reporter; Reporter’s Home Searched

The U.S. Justice Department announced Thursday it has brought criminal charges against Aurelio Perez-Lugones, 61, who is accused of removing classified military reports from a government contractor and providing them to Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson, documents and officials said. The reporter cited the material in published stories, prompting a wider investigation.

Indictment And Potential Penalty
A grand jury returned an indictment charging Perez-Lugones with unlawfully transmitting and retaining classified information. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison, Justice Department officials said.

Search Of Reporter’s Home And Judicial Review
The case drew national attention after FBI agents executed a search of Natanson’s home last week. Press freedom groups described the raid as an unusually aggressive step that could chill journalism. On Wednesday, a federal judge temporarily barred prosecutors from reviewing some of the material seized during the search while the court considers legal challenges. The Washington Post has said Natanson was informed she is not a target of the investigation.

Policy Context
The action comes after the Justice Department under President Donald Trump reversed a prior guideline that generally restricted prosecutors from seizing reporters’ records in most circumstances. That policy change has renewed debate over how to balance national security and prosecutorial powers with press freedom and newsgathering protections.

Reactions And Next Steps
Lawyers for Perez-Lugones did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The case is likely to raise further questions about government handling of leaks, the scope of criminal liability for contractors with access to classified information, and protections for journalists who publish sensitive material.

Reporting by Andy Sullivan; Editing by Sergio Non and Diane Craft.