Three individuals, consisting of two current U.S. Army soldiers and a former soldier, were detained in Oregon on Thursday for their alleged roles in supplying sensitive military information to parties in China.
Those arrested include active-duty soldiers Jian Zhao and Li Tian, both based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, along with former soldier Ruoyo Duan, charged with conspiracy to commit bribery and theft of government property, as Fox News reports, with Attorney General Pam Bondi pledging to secure accountability.
These charges involve compromising U.S. defense capabilities by handing over technical data and military weapon system documents. The case centers on the accusation that Zhao, Tian, and Duan engaged in activities from late 2021 until December 2024 to gather and pass on sensitive materials. Among the information believed to have been compromised were technical manuals on the Bradley and Stryker U.S. Army fighting vehicles.
Li Tian is alleged to have procured delicate military information which he subsequently provided to Ruoyo Duan for financial compensation. Authorities allege that their actions weakened the U.S. military's defense position.
An additional charge against Zhao claims he was involved in a conspiracy starting in July 2024 to procure and relay national defense-related data to people based in China. In this conspiracy, Zhao reportedly negotiated the sale of hard drives containing classified information, agreeing to dispatch them to Chinese contacts.
The Department of Justice stated that Zhao was specifically accused of orchestrating the collection and transmission of classified hard drives, including those tagged as "SECRET" and "TOP SECRET." He is said to have negotiated financial terms for these transactions, amounting to at least $10,000.
Furthermore, Zhao is accused of attempting to sell a stolen computer and specific sensitive documents concerning High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and military preparedness. This transaction purportedly netted him an additional $5,000.
Bondi spoke out on this matter emphasizing, "The defendants arrested today are accused of betraying our country by weakening America's defense capabilities and empowering adversaries in China." She added that they face swift and severe consequences.
The Department of Justice reiterated these concerns, pointing out Zhao's violation of his duties as a U.S. Army soldier and his role as a public official responsible for safeguarding state secrets against monetary gain.
Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Seattle Field Office, commented on the arrests. He said, "These arrests should send a message to would-be spies that we and our partners have the will and the ability to find you, track you down, and hold you to account."
FBI Director Kash Patel echoed this sentiment, stating that the individuals will "face American justice" after their alleged actions to empower adversaries like China. Legal proceedings are expected to continue as the court evaluates the charges and examines the breadth of evidence collected by law enforcement agencies. The arrests represent a significant instance of alleged betrayal and reinforce the emphasis on protecting U.S. national security interests.
As the investigation unfolds, attention remains on the alleged methods and motivations behind these actions. This case highlights the ongoing necessity for vigilance and cooperation among military and intelligence communities to prevent breaches of national defense information.
The legal consequences faced by Zhao, Tian, and Duan serve as a critical reminder of the severity of such infractions against U.S. military security. The pursuit of justice in this case aims to serve as a deterrent against similar breaches in the future.
