Army soldiers charged in scheme to sell military information to China: DOJ
Three individuals, including two active-duty U.S. Army soldiers and one former soldier, were arrested in Oregon for their alleged involvement in gathering and transmitting sensitive information to individuals in China, as announced by the Department of Justice.
The accused individuals, Jian Zhao and Li Tian, were stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, while the former soldier involved was Ruoyo Duan. They are facing charges of conspiring to commit bribery and theft of government property. Additionally, Zhao is facing additional charges of conspiring to obtain and transmit national defense information to unauthorized individuals.
According to the Department of Justice, Duan and Tian conspired to gather sensitive military information related to the U.S. Army’s operational capabilities, including technical manuals and information on military weapon systems like the Bradley and Stryker fighting vehicles. Tian, an active-duty Army officer, was tasked with collecting this information for Duan in exchange for monetary compensation.
Zhao, an active-duty Army supply sergeant, allegedly began conspiring to obtain and transmit national defense information to individuals in China in July 2024. He is accused of collecting and transmitting classified hard drives, including those marked as ‘SECRET’ and ‘TOP SECRET,’ to individuals in China in exchange for payments.
Furthermore, Zhao is also alleged to have conspired to sell a computer stolen from the U.S. government and sensitive military documents, including information on the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and military readiness in the event of a conflict with China. He reportedly received payments for these items as well.
The arrests of these individuals have been described as “unconscionable” by Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Seattle Field Office. He emphasized the importance of protecting the nation’s secrets, especially those critical to maintaining military advantage and safeguarding troops.
FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the accused individuals will face justice for their actions, which involved compromising America’s defense intelligence capabilities and aiding adversaries like China. He underscored the FBI’s commitment to tracking down individuals engaged in espionage activities and holding them accountable.
The Department of Justice’s indictments against these individuals serve as a reminder of the consequences of betraying the country and jeopardizing national security. The investigation and prosecution of such cases are vital in safeguarding sensitive information and maintaining the integrity of the nation’s defense capabilities.
