In a disturbing breach of national security, two active-duty U.S. Army soldiers stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington, along with a former soldier from Oregon, were arrested this week in connection with an elaborate scheme to sell classified U.S. military information to contacts in China. Federal indictments unsealed on Wednesday and Thursday outline the serious charges, which include conspiracy to commit bribery, theft of government property, and espionage-related activities.
The three individuals involved have been identified as 1st Lt. Li Tian, an active-duty officer at Joint Base Lewis-McChord; Ruoyu Duan, a former U.S. Army soldier who now resides in Oregon; and Jian Zhao, another active-duty soldier stationed at the base. Tian and Duan were charged in the District of Oregon, while Zhao faced charges in the Western District of Washington. These arrests are part of a broader investigation into the illicit transfer of highly sensitive military data to individuals in China, including technical documents and classified information related to U.S. weapons systems.
The indictment reveals a conspiracy that began as early as November 2021 and continued into December 2024. According to Oregon prosecutors, Li Tian, an officer with secret-level clearance, was tasked with gathering and transmitting classified U.S. military information to Duan, who then facilitated the sale of the data to Chinese nationals. This information included technical manuals and other sensitive materials related to U.S. weapons systems, including the Bradley Fighting Vehicle and the Stryker, a crucial piece of the U.S. Army’s armored combat vehicles.
The case centers on Tian’s role as a conduit for the theft and transmission of sensitive materials. Specifically, Tian is accused of using Google Drive to share highly classified documents detailing U.S. military vehicle systems, in return for monetary compensation. The stolen information is alleged to have been of particular interest to Chinese military and intelligence entities seeking to enhance their capabilities by obtaining U.S. defense technology and technical specifications.
Duan, who left the U.S. Army in 2017, is said to have acted as a liaison between Tian and Zhao, who reportedly acted on behalf of buyers in China. Duan coordinated with these individuals to exchange the stolen information for payment. The investigation suggests that Duan played a significant role in facilitating the theft and ensuring that the stolen materials reached Chinese buyers, all while maintaining communication with Tian and Zhao to finalize the transactions.
In a separate indictment in the Western District of Washington, Zhao faces accusations of conspiring to transmit national defense information to unauthorized individuals in China. Specifically, Zhao, an active-duty U.S. Army Supply Sergeant, is alleged to have sold hard drives containing classified materials, including information marked as “SECRET” and “TOP SECRET.” These hard drives were reportedly sold for at least $10,000. Zhao’s activities also extended to the illegal sale of an encrypted computer capable of transmitting sensitive military data and documents related to U.S. military readiness, including details of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).
Zhao is further accused of conspiring to sell U.S. military documents and information related to potential military actions against China. According to the charges, Zhao received a total of at least $15,000 in payments for his role in this espionage operation. This information included critical data on U.S. military preparedness in the event of a conflict with China, heightening the stakes of the case and underscoring the severity of the security breach.
The scale of the espionage operation is alarming, with prosecutors emphasizing the grave risk posed to national security by the illegal transfer of military secrets. “The defendants arrested today are accused of betraying our country, actively working to weaken America’s defense capabilities and empowering our adversaries in China,” stated Attorney General Pamela J. Bondi. “They will face swift, severe, and comprehensive justice.”
FBI Director Kash Patel also condemned the actions of the accused. “While bribery and corruption have thrived under China’s Communist Party, this behavior cannot be tolerated with our service members who are entrusted with sensitive military information,” Patel said. “The FBI and our partners will continue to work to uncover attempts by those in China to steal sensitive U.S. military information and hold all accountable who play a role in betraying our national defense.”
The investigation, led by the FBI and U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command, highlights the persistent threat posed by foreign espionage targeting the U.S. military. Brig. Gen. Rhett R. Cox of Army Counterintelligence Command echoed these concerns, stressing the need for constant vigilance within the Army to safeguard sensitive information. “These arrests underscore the persistent and increasing foreign intelligence threat facing our Army and nation,” Cox said.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon, along with the FBI’s Portland and Seattle Field Offices, U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command, and several other agencies, coordinated the investigation. Acting U.S. Attorney William M. Narus expressed gratitude for the collaboration between the FBI, U.S. Army Counterintelligence, and other agencies involved in the case. “Their hard work and commitment to protecting our national security were instrumental in bringing these individuals to justice,” he stated.
The arrests of Tian, Duan, and Zhao are a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within the U.S. military and the need for robust systems to prevent insider threats. These incidents have sparked questions about the military’s clearance process and the ongoing efforts to secure sensitive military data against espionage attempts. The investigation into the case is ongoing, and further charges or arrests may be forthcoming as authorities continue to probe the full extent of the operation.
While the details of the case remain under investigation, the U.S. government is taking a firm stance against espionage activities that undermine national security. “It is unconscionable that a person who wears the uniform of a U.S. Army soldier would betray our country and the trust of his fellow soldiers,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Seattle Field Office. “These arrests should send a message to would-be spies that we and our partners have the will and the ability to find you, track you down, and hold you to account.”
As the legal proceedings unfold, the case is expected to have significant implications for U.S.-China relations and may lead to a reevaluation of the protocols in place to protect classified military information. The accused soldiers face serious charges that could result in lengthy prison sentences if convicted, underscoring the severe consequences of compromising U.S. national security for personal gain.
The arrests of these three individuals serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing risks posed by insider threats within the military, the need for heightened security awareness, and the critical importance of protecting America’s military secrets.
