Former National Security Adviser John Bolton has surrendered to authorities following an 18-count federal indictment accusing him of mishandling classified information.

Prosecutors allege that Bolton unlawfully retained and shared sensitive national security documents after leaving government service. The former adviser made his initial court appearance in Greenbelt, Maryland, on Friday, where he was formally charged.

The indictment marks a dramatic turn for Bolton, who served in the Trump administration and later became one of the former president’s most outspoken critics. The case centers on claims that he kept and disclosed classified materials while writing and promoting his memoir about his time in the White House.

Legal experts say the proceedings could set a precedent for how the government handles former officials accused of mishandling state secrets. Bolton has not yet entered a plea, and his legal team has declined to comment publicly.