Federal Judge Orders Detainment of Defense Department Civilian Over Classified Document Mishandling

A federal judge has ordered Gokhan Gun, a Defense Department civilian and U.S.-Turkish dual citizen, to remain jailed pending trial for allegedly mishandling classified documents. Gun, who was arrested while en route to Mexico, has been deemed a flight risk and a danger to national security. Prosecutors may file additional charges under the Espionage Act.

In a significant ruling, a federal judge has overruled a magistrate and ordered Gokhan Gun, a Defense Department civilian and U.S.-Turkish dual citizen, to remain incarcerated while awaiting trial for mishandling classified documents.

Gun, 50, was apprehended outside his home in Falls Church on August 9 as he was allegedly heading to the airport for a trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Prosecutors reported that he had a document marked Top Secret and subsequent searches revealed more classified documents at his home. Gun claimed he was on a fishing trip.

Initially, U.S. Magistrate Judge Ivan Davis permitted Gun to await trial under home detention but prosecutors appealed, citing him as a flight risk and a potential threat to national security. In a Thursday hearing, U.S. District Judge Michael Nachmanoff agreed and ordered Gun to remain jailed. Gun's role as an electrical engineer with the Joint Warfare Analysis Center granted him Top Secret clearance. He became a U.S. citizen in 2021, having been born in Turkey.

Prosecutors referenced a review by an Air Force intelligence expert indicating the Top Secret document found with Gun contained information that could compromise national security. They also mentioned the possibility of additional charges under the Espionage Act. Gun's defense argued the classified document might have been inadvertently printed, but prosecutors countered that Gun had shifted his printing habits suspiciously shortly after receiving his clearance.

(With inputs from agencies.)