The FBI, in coordination with other federal agencies, has arrested two active-duty U.S. Army soldiers and one former soldier on charges of espionage and bribery. The individuals are accused of stealing defense intelligence and attempting to transmit national defense information to unauthorized recipients, including individuals in China.
The accused are Jian Zhao and Li Tian, active-duty soldiers stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and former soldier Ruoyu Duan.
A DOJ press release outlined that “Tian and Duan were charged in the District of Oregon for conspiring to commit bribery and theft of government property. Zhao was charged in the Western District of Washington for conspiring to obtain and transmit national defense information to an individual not authorized to receive it, and also for bribery and theft of government property.”
Zhao faces charges in the Western District of Washington for conspiring to transmit national defense information to individuals in China, as well as bribery and theft of government property. Tian and Duan are charged in the District of Oregon with conspiracy to commit bribery and theft of government property.
Patel wrote on X, “I can now report that today the FBI, along with our interagency partners led by Pam Bondi, arrested two active duty U.S. Army soldiers and one former U.S. Army soldier for theft of government property and a bribery scheme.These individuals have been charged with stealing America’s defense intelligence capabilities and empowering adversaries like China in betrayal of our country.”
The arrests underscore the Department of Justice’s commitment to safeguarding national security and holding accountable those who betray their country by compromising defense intelligence.
