In a significant development, FBI Director Kash Patel has disclosed the arrest of two active-duty Army soldiers and one former soldier, accused of selling sensitive classified military information to China.
This revelation underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the United States in safeguarding its national security interests.
Patel made the announcement via a post on X, stating, "I can now report that today the FBI, along with our interagency partners led by @AGPamBondi, arrested two active duty U.S. Army soldiers and one former U.S. Army soldier for theft of government property and a bribery scheme."
According to One America News, the individuals involved have been charged with compromising America's defense intelligence capabilities, thereby empowering adversaries such as China. Patel emphasized, "These individuals have been charged with stealing Americas defense intelligence capabilities and empowering adversaries like China in betrayal of our country. They will now face American justice."
The Justice Department has identified the accused as Jian Zhao and Li Tian, both active-duty soldiers stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington, along with Ruoyu Duan, a former soldier. The charges against them include the theft of secret hard drives, information on weapons systems, and documents related to missile defenses, all allegedly intended for sale to China. The indictment specifies that Duan and Tian began their illicit activities on November 28, 2021, continuing until December 19, 2024.
Further allegations suggest that Tian was compensated by Duan to procure information on the Bradley and Stryker U.S. Army fighting vehicles. Zhao, on the other hand, is accused of stealing "top secret" hard drives after July 2024, which he purportedly sold to China for a minimum of $10,000. Additionally, Zhao allegedly took a government computer containing data on the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System.
Patel condemned the actions, stating, "While bribery and corruption have thrived under Chinas Communist Party, this behavior cannot be tolerated with our service members who are entrusted with sensitive military information, including national defense information." He assured that the FBI, in collaboration with its partners, remains committed to uncovering and addressing any attempts by China to acquire sensitive U.S. military information, holding accountable those who compromise national defense.
This case highlights the critical need for vigilance and robust measures to protect sensitive military information from foreign adversaries, ensuring that those who betray their country face the full extent of American justice.
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