Three current and former U.S. Army soldiers have been arrested for their involvement in a scheme that allegedly involved stealing government property, committing bribery, and selling national defense information to individuals in China, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
The DOJ revealed that former U.S. Army soldier Ruoyu Duan was taken into custody on charges of conspiring to transmit national defense information to China, as well as theft of U.S. government property and bribery. Additionally, two current soldiers were arrested for conspiring to commit bribery and theft of government property.
According to federal prosecutors, Duan conspired with one of the active-duty soldiers, Li Tian, to gather sensitive military information about the U.S. Army’s operational capabilities between November 2021 and December 2024.
The DOJ confirmed that Tian transmitted technical manuals and information about U.S. military weapon systems, including artillery rocket systems and combat vehicles, to Duan in exchange for money. Reports indicate that Tian was paid $15,000 for his role in the scheme.
Federal prosecutors said that the information obtained posed a direct threat to U.S. national security, as it contained details regarding U.S. military readiness in the event of a conflict with China.
Attorney General Pam Bondi condemned the actions of the soldiers selling information, promising “swift, severe, and comprehensive justice” for their betrayal of the United States. Bondi emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that the soldiers compromised the safety of the nation and directly aided a foreign adversary.
“The defendants arrested today are accused of betraying our country, actively working to weaken America’s defense capabilities and empowering our adversaries in China,” the statement reads.
The DOJ has not yet released the identities of the third soldier or further details regarding the potential scope of damage caused by the breach. However, all three soldiers are now facing federal charges and could serve lengthy prison sentences if convicted.
