FBI executes search warrant at Washington Post reporter’s home in Pentagon classified leak investigation

Federal agents executed a search warrant on Wednesday at the Virginia residence of Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson as part of an investigation regarding a government contractor who allegedly leaked Pentagon classified information. 

Natanson was home during the search, which resulted in the seizure of her phone and smartwatch, the Washington Post reported. The warrant stated that law enforcement was investigating Aurelio Perez-Lugones, a Maryland-based system administrator with top secret security clearance, who is accused of accessing classified intelligence reports and removing them from secure systems. Authorities allege the materials were later found in his lunchbox and in his basement.

“This morning the [FBI] and partners executed a search warrant of an individual at the Washington Post who was found to allegedly be obtaining and reporting classified, sensitive military information from a government contractor - endangering our warfighters and compromising America’s national security,” FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X. “The alleged leaker was arrested this week and is in custody. As this is an ongoing investigation, we will have no further comment.”

Perez-Lugones has worked as a government contractor since 2002 and holds a top secret security clearance. He is employed in Maryland as a systems engineer and information technology specialist.

According to a criminal complaint, he is accused of using government databases and repositories to access classified information related to a foreign country, taking a screenshot, and printing the material. Investigators say at least one document marked “secret” and related to national defense was discovered in his basement.

Attorney General Pam Bondi also addressed the case on X, stating, “This past week, at the request of the Department of War, the Department of Justice and FBI executed a search warrant at the home of a Washington Post journalist who was obtaining and reporting classified and illegally leaked information from a Pentagon contractor. The leaker is currently behind bars.”

“The Trump Administration will not tolerate illegal leaks of classified information that, when reported, pose a grave risk to our Nation’s national security and the brave men and women who are serving our country,” Bondi added.