Three US army soldiers arrested for allegedly sharing sensitive info with China
US army personals arrested for providing sensitive data with China. PHOTO: PEXELS
Two active-duty US Army soldiers and a former soldier were arrested in Oregon on Thursday for their alleged involvement in a scheme to gather and transmit sensitive military information to individuals in China, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced.
The accused include Jian Zhao and Li Tian, both stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and former soldier Ruoyo Duan. They are charged with conspiring to commit bribery and theft of government property. Zhao faces additional charges for attempting to transmit national defense information to unauthorized individuals.
Attorney General Pam Bondi condemned the arrests, stating, "The defendants are accused of betraying our country, weakening America's defense capabilities, and empowering adversaries like China." She vowed that the accused would "face swift, severe, and comprehensive justice."
According to the DOJ, Duan and Tian are accused of conspiring between November 2021 and December 2024 to secretly gather sensitive military information, including technical manuals and details about U.S. Army weapon systems like the Bradley and Stryker fighting vehicles. Tian, an active-duty officer, is said to have gathered this information in exchange for payment to Duan.
Zhao, an Army supply sergeant, allegedly began conspiring in July 2024 to transmit classified national defense information to China. The DOJ states that Zhao collected and attempted to send multiple classified hard drives, marked "SECRET" and "TOP SECRET," to Chinese individuals. He is said to have received at least $10,000 for his actions.
Additionally, Zhao is accused of conspiring to sell a stolen computer and sensitive military documents related to the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), in exchange for around $5,000.
FBI responds
Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Seattle Field Office, labelled the actions of the accused as "unconscionable." He emphasized the FBI's commitment to protecting the nation’s military secrets, stressing that the arrests should send a strong message to potential spies.
FBI Director Kash Patel echoed this sentiment, saying the three men would "face American justice" for their alleged betrayal, highlighting the risks posed to national security by their actions.