Federal authorities have arrested three individuals, including two active-duty soldiers, for bribery and stealing sensitive military information. The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the arrests on Thursday night.
The suspects include Jian Zhao and Li Tian, both stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and Ruoyu Duan, a former U.S. Army soldier. A federal grand jury indicted them in the District of Oregon and the Western District of Washington.
Tian and Duan face charges in Oregon for bribery and stealing government property. Zhao was indicted in Washington for conspiring to transfer national defense data, bribery, and theft.
Espionage and Bribery Scheme
According to prosecutors, Zhao conspired with contacts in China to sell classified military intelligence. He allegedly received at least $10,000 for secret hard drives labeled “SECRET” and “TOP SECRET.” Zhao also attempted to sell encrypted government computers and sensitive documents. These included data on U.S. military readiness and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).
Tian and Duan allegedly worked together from November 2021 to December 2024 to collect and transfer classified U.S. Army information. Their focus was technical manuals on military vehicles, including Bradley and Stryker fighting vehicles. Prosecutors say Tian sent the data to Duan for financial gain.
Government Officials Respond
Attorney General Pamela J. Bondi condemned the suspects, stating, “They are charged with weakening America’s defense and aiding China. Justice will be swift.”
FBI Director Kash Patel reinforced the agency’s stance. “The Chinese Communist Party thrives on bribery and corruption. We will not tolerate this within our military,” he said. Patel credited Army Counterintelligence for its efforts in the investigation.
Brigadier General Rhett R. Cox, head of Army Counterintelligence Command, urged vigilance. “These arrests show the growing intelligence threat to our military,” he warned. “We will ensure that those who choose personal gain over duty face consequences.”
The FBI and U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command continue to investigate the case.
BREAKING: 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.
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) March 7, 2025
These individuals have been charged with…
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