Two active-duty U.S. soldiers and one former soldier have been arrested on charges of selling state secrets to foreign countries, including China, the Department of Justice announced on Thursday. The arrests underscore ongoing concerns about espionage and the theft of sensitive national defense information.
Charges and Allegations
Active-duty soldier Li Tian and former soldier Ruoyu Duan were charged in Oregon with conspiring to commit bribery and the theft of government property. Meanwhile, Jian Zhao, an active-duty Supply Sergeant stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state, faces charges of conspiring to obtain and transmit national defense information to unauthorized individuals, as well as bribery and theft of government property.
Attorney General Pam Bondi condemned the actions of the accused, stating that they had "betrayed our country, actively working to weaken America's defense capabilities and empowering our adversaries in China." She vowed that the individuals would face "swift, severe, and comprehensive justice."
According to the Justice Department, Duan and Tian, along with other conspirators, allegedly collaborated to covertly collect sensitive military information related to the U.S. Army's operational capabilities between late November 2021 and December 2024. Tian is accused of gathering technical manuals and details about U.S. military weapons systems, which he then allegedly provided to Duan in exchange for monetary compensation.
Details of the Espionage Scheme
Court documents reveal that Zhao allegedly began conspiring to steal and sell military information in July 2024. He is accused of transmitting classified materials, including hard drives marked "SECRET" and "TOP SECRET," to individuals based in China. Additionally, Zhao allegedly conspired to sell an encryption-capable computer stolen from the U.S. government, which could enable unauthorized access to sensitive encrypted documents.
The stolen information reportedly included details about the military's High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and U.S. military readiness concerning China. The indictment warned that the theft and sale of such information could "place the national security of the United States, and the safety of Defendant Zhao's fellow soldiers, in jeopardy."
Co-Conspirators and Financial Gains
The information was allegedly sent to an individual referred to in court documents as "Co-Conspirator 1," who resides in Changchun, China. This individual is said to have found buyers for the stolen materials. Zhao also communicated with other unnamed co-conspirators about the sale of information and allegedly received at least $15,000 for his role in the scheme.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command. FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized the agency's commitment to uncovering and thwarting attempts by individuals in China to steal sensitive U.S. military information.
The arrests highlight the ongoing challenges faced by U.S. authorities in safeguarding national security and preventing the exploitation of classified information by foreign adversaries.