Department of Defense Civilian Employee Charged with Taking Classified Documents

A civilian electrical engineer for the Department of Defense appeared in federal court today on a charge of unauthorized removal and retention of classified material.

According to court documents, Gokhan Gun, 50, of Falls Church, Virginia, was born in Istanbul, Turkey, and is a dual citizen of Turkey and the United States. Through his employment, Gun possesses a Top Secret security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) and has received training on the proper handling and storage of classified information.

On multiple occasions beginning at least in May 2024, Gun allegedly printed documents, some of which were marked Top Secret, and without permission removed them from his authorized work location. Between May 10 and Aug. 7, Gun allegedly printed over a dozen documents marked classified at the time of printing. In August, investigators observed Gun exiting his workplace with a bag full of hard copy documents before entering two different residences in Fairfax and Falls Church, both owned by Gun.

On Aug. 9, Gun was scheduled to depart the United States on a morning flight to Mexico. However, FBI agents executed search warrants for Gun's Fairfax and Falls Church residences, along with his vehicle, and media storage devices. Among the items recovered from the searches were a Top Secret document and a printout listing Gun's security clearances-both of which were recovered from Gun's backpack. Inside the residence, agents also observed stacks of papers among which were multiple documents with visible classification markings, including pages bearing Top Secret and SCI classification markings.

Packed for travel in a small personal belt bag, Gun allegedly had his U.S. passport and an expired passport from Turkey.

If convicted of the current charge, Gun faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division, U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia, Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI's National Security Branch and Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the FBI Washington Field Office made the announcement.

The FBI is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony J. Rodregous and John T. Gibbs for the Eastern District of Viriginia and Trial Attorneys Adam L. Small and Chantelle Dial of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.