In a recent development that strikes at the heart of national security, three U.S. Army soldiers, one former and two active-duty, have been indicted on charges related to theft of government property and bribery. The Department of Justice reports that Jian Zhao and Li Tian, who are currently serving at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, along with former soldier Ruoyu Duan, stand accused of attempting to compromise America's military integrity in favor of undisclosed Chinese interests.
Attorney General Pamela J. Bondi stated, as per the U.S. Department of Justice, "The defendants arrested today are accused of betraying our country, actively working to weaken America’s defense capabilities and empowering our adversaries in China." She pledged they "will face swift, severe, and comprehensive justice." Meanwhile, FBI Director Kash Patel has pointedly criticized the influence of China's Communist Party and reaffirmed the FBI's commitment to root out corruption among service members, with a focus on maintaining the nation's defense against espionage activities rigorously. The investigation into these incidents was a collaboration between the FBI and the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Ruoyu Duan and Li Tian were involved in a scheme that began around November 2021 and continued through at least December 2024, where sensitive military documents about weapon systems like the Bradley and Stryker fighting vehicles were allegedly transmitted in exchange for monetary gain. Jian Zhao allegedly conspired to transmit several classified hard drives, marked "SECRET" and "TOP SECRET," as well as specific military readiness documents concerning a potential conflict with the People's Republic of China, for at least $15,000.
Acting U.S. Attorney William M. Narus for the District of Oregon and W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Seattle Field Office, condemned the breach of trust and potential damage to national security perpetrated by Duan and Tian. "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," Herrington said, emphasizing the severity of the offense and the resolve of federal agencies to address such violations head-on. The cases, currently led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys and Trial Attorneys for the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, are in progress, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law, as per the U.S. Department of Justice.
