🔗 Share this article John Bolton Surrenders to Answer Allegations of Disseminating Sensitive Materials John Bolton, who worked during the first Trump administration, made his way at a federal court to turn himself in to law enforcement facing accusations of mishandling classified information. The 18 charges stem from allegations that he distributed or retained sensitive materials, including some characterised as top secret. Bolton, who parted with the White House acrimoniously, has become one of the Trump's most vocal public critics. The formal accusation makes Bolton, seventy-six, the latest of the US president's political opponents to be indicted in recent weeks. Court Appearance On the end of the week, Bolton remained silent to reporters' inquiries as he walked into the courthouse in Greenbelt, Maryland to submit to officials. He is anticipated to make an first court hearing before a judge and may have to stop at the US Marshals office for "possible" fingerprinting and booking photo. Prosecutors' Allegations Prosecutors have accused Bolton of using private communication tools and electronic mail to illegally transmit classified data. "These documents revealed intelligence about future attacks, foreign adversaries, and foreign-policy relations," the indictment stated. Addressing the allegations, Bolton said he would defend his "lawful conduct". He stated he had "become the most recent focus in using the Justice Department to accuse those he [Trump] deems to be his opponents with charges that were declined before or misrepresent the truth." Details of the Indictment The indictment filed this recently accused Bolton of sharing "journal-style notes" with two unidentified persons, and using his private email to transmit messages with confidential information. The indictment also claims that between 2019 and 2021, Bolton was reportedly the target of a cyber intrusion from a "digital entity thought to be associated with the Iran" that gained access his system, revealing the classified materials. Previous Scrutiny Bolton has been investigated for his management of sensitive data since two years ago, when he sought to publish a book about his tenure in the first Trump administration. The federal prosecutors attempted to halt the publication, alleging it could contain classified information. A federal judge ruled against the government, but rebuked Bolton in his ruling, writing he had "taken risks with the country's safety of the United States". An investigation into Bolton continued into the Joe Biden administration. Understanding Indictments An indictment in the US legal framework is a official allegation delivered by a public panel - a group of citizens established by a government lawyer to examine proof to decide if a case should proceed.