Donald Trump's former national security adviser, that worked during the first Trump administration, made his way at a federal court to turn himself in to law enforcement facing accusations of improperly handling sensitive documents.
The 18 charges arise from claims that he distributed or retained sensitive materials, comprising some labeled as highly classified.
Bolton, that separated with the White House acrimoniously, has become one of the Trump's strongest outspoken opponents.
The formal accusation makes Bolton, seventy-six, the third of the US leader's rivals to be indicted in the past few days.
Court Appearance
On the end of the week, Bolton did not respond to reporters' inquiries as he walked into the federal building in Greenbelt, Maryland to surrender to authorities.
He is expected to make an first court hearing before a judge and may have to stop at the federal marshals' facility for "possible" printing and booking photo.
Government's Claims
Prosecutors have accused Bolton of using personal messaging apps and email to illegally transmit classified data.
"The materials revealed information about upcoming threats, international foes, and diplomatic ties," prosecutors wrote.
Addressing the allegations, Bolton said he would justify his "lawful conduct".
He stated he had "turned into the latest target in using the Justice Department to charge those he [Trump] deems to be his enemies with charges that were rejected earlier or misrepresent the facts."
Details of the Indictment
The indictment issued this week alleged Bolton of sharing "diary-like entries" with two unnamed individuals, and using his personal email account to transmit communications with confidential information.
The document also claims that between 2019 and 2021, Bolton was allegedly the victim of a hacking attack from a "digital entity thought to be linked to the Islamic Republic of Iran" that breached his system, revealing the classified materials.
Background
Bolton has been scrutinised for his handling of sensitive data since 2020, when he attempted to publish a memoir about his time in the Trump's initial presidency.
The Justice Department attempted to halt the book's release, alleging it could include classified information.
A federal judge denied the government, but rebuked Bolton in his decision, writing he had "taken risks with the national security of the United States".
An investigation into Bolton continued into the Joe Biden administration.
Legal Process
An indictment in the US legal framework is a official allegation delivered by a public panel - a body of members of the public set up by a prosecutor to review proof to decide if a case should proceed.
