Case: United States v. Bolton

8:25-cr-00314 | U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

Filed Date: Oct. 16, 2025

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding in progress

Case Summary

(This summary is temporary, while we research the case.) On October 16, 2025, former National Security Advisor John Bolton was indicted by a grand jury on 18 federal criminal charges in the District of Maryland. The indictment alleges that Bolton, between 2018 and 2025, shared over one thousand pages of information about his day-to-day life as National Security Advisor, including top secret national security information, with two unauthorized individuals. The two unnamed individuals were said t…

(This summary is temporary, while we research the case.)

On October 16, 2025, former National Security Advisor John Bolton was indicted by a grand jury on 18 federal criminal charges in the District of Maryland. The indictment alleges that Bolton, between 2018 and 2025, shared over one thousand pages of information about his day-to-day life as National Security Advisor, including top secret national security information, with two unauthorized individuals. The two unnamed individuals were said to be relatives of Bolton. The indictment further alleges that Bolton unlawfully retained documents relating to national defense, including several classified as top secret. This information was allegedly obtained by cyber actor believed to be associated with the Islamic Republic of Iran when said individual hacked Bolton's personal email account. Bolton was charged with unlawful transmission of national defense information, and unlawful retention of national defense information.

This case is ongoing.

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71668415/parties/united-states-v-bolton/

Judge(s)

Chuang, Theodore David (Maryland)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Shugert, Shawn Derek (Maryland)

Sullivan, Thomas M (Maryland)

Attorney for Defendant

Lowell, Abbe D (Maryland)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

8:25-cr-00314

Indictment

Oct. 16, 2025

Oct. 16, 2025

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71668415/united-states-v-bolton/

Last updated Oct. 18, 2025, 6:45 p.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

INDICTMENT as to John Robert Bolton, II (1) count(s) 1-8, 9-18. (heps, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 10/16/2025)

Oct. 16, 2025

Oct. 16, 2025

Clearinghouse
4

NOTICE OF ATTORNEY APPEARANCE: Abbe D Lowell as Retained Counsel appearing for John Robert Bolton, II(Lowell, Abbe) (Entered: 10/16/2025)

Oct. 16, 2025

Oct. 16, 2025

RECAP
10

CASE MANAGEMENTORDER as to John Robert Bolton, II. Signed by Judge Theodore D. Chuang on 10/17/2025. (ds2s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 10/17/2025)

Oct. 17, 2025

Oct. 17, 2025

RECAP
11

PAPERLESS NOTICE. An INITIAL STATUS CONFERENCE is scheduled for November 21, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. Instructions to join the call will be provided. The call will be recorded, so please do not use speakerphones as they compromise sound quality. Also, we ask that parties not remain on the conference line after the Judge has left the call, to ensure that the line is free for other calls that may be on the Judge's calendar. (ds2s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 10/17/2025)

Oct. 17, 2025

Oct. 17, 2025

PACER
12

MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Isabella M. Oishi (Filing fee $100, receipt number AMDDC-12298414.). (Lowell, Abbe) (Entered: 10/17/2025)

Oct. 17, 2025

Oct. 17, 2025

PACER
5

NOTICE OF ATTORNEY APPEARANCE Shawn Derek Shugert appearing for USA.(Shugert, Shawn) (Entered: 10/17/2025)

Oct. 17, 2025

Oct. 17, 2025

RECAP
6

Notice of Related Case(bw5s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 10/17/2025)

Oct. 17, 2025

Oct. 17, 2025

PACER
7

Initial Appearance (Defendant informed of Rights) and Arraignment Hearing as to John Robert Bolton II (1)held on 10/17/2025, Plea entered NOT GUILTY as to Count 1-8,9-18 of the Indictment before Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Sullivan.(FTR: C. Martinez - 3B) (cm4s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 10/17/2025)

Oct. 17, 2025

Oct. 17, 2025

PACER
8

ORDER pursuant to Fed R Crim P 5(f) and the Due Process Protections Act as to John Robert Bolton, II. Signed by Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Sullivan on 10/17/2025. (cm4s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 10/17/2025)

Oct. 17, 2025

Oct. 17, 2025

PACER
9

ORDER Setting Conditions of Release as to John Robert Bolton, II. Signed by Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Sullivan on 10/17/2025. (c/m to USMS 10/17/2025)(cm4s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 10/17/2025)

Oct. 17, 2025

Oct. 17, 2025

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory: Maryland

Case Type(s):

National Security

Key Dates

Filing Date: Oct. 16, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Case Details

Special Case Type(s):

Criminal

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Any published opinion