Former White House National Security Adviser John Bolton pleaded guilty Friday to one count in an 18-count federal indictment, though he was not sentenced during the hearing.

Appearing in federal court in Greenbelt, Maryland, Bolton admitted guilt on the twelfth count of the indictment, which accused him of unlawfully possessing a document related to national defense.

The charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, but prosecutors and defense attorneys agreed that any prison term imposed cannot exceed five years.

A Justice Department prosecutor told Judge Theodore Chuang that Bolton also faces a $2.25 million fine, with half due within five days, a mandatory debriefing with a U.S. intelligence committee, three years of supervised release, and up to 100 hours of community service. Bolton also agreed to forfeit any annuity or retirement benefits tied to his federal service.

By entering the guilty plea, Bolton waived his right to appeal both his conviction and sentence. However, he retains the option of withdrawing his guilty plea before sentencing, with that opportunity ending once sentencing proceedings are completed.

According to NBC News, Chuang has up to 90 days to issue a sentence.

Bolton has also been given 100 hours to remediate the improper disclosure of classified information.

The judge further advised Bolton that he is not obligated to sentence him within the recommended guideline range.

Federal authorities searched Bolton’s home and office in August of last year. He was indicted in October on charges that initially included both the transmission and retention of classified documents.

According to the indictment, the documents that Bolton allegedly kept contained intelligence concerning future attacks by an adversarial group overseas. Prosecutors said the materials also included information supplied by a liaison partner to the U.S. intelligence community and intelligence indicating that a foreign adversary was preparing a future missile launch.

Prosecutors said many of the records were marked “TOP SECRET.”

“From on or about April 9, 2018, through at least on or about August 22, 2025, BOLTON abused his position as National Security Advisor by sharing more than a thousand pages of information about his day-to-day activities as the National Security Advisor — including information relating to the national defense which was classified up to the TOP SECRET/SCI level—with two unauthorized individuals,” the indictment read.

“BOLTON also unlawfully retained documents, writings, and notes relating to the national defense, including information classified up to the TOP SECRET/SCI level, in his home in Montgomery County, Maryland,” it continued.

Bolton served as President Donald Trump’s national security adviser during Trump’s first administration from 2018 to 2019.

At the time of his departure, Trump said he had fired Bolton because of significant policy disagreements, while Bolton maintained that he resigned voluntarily.