U.S. Soldier Charged with Conspiring to Transmit National Defense Information to China: Indictment
Three individuals, including two active-duty U.S. Army soldiers and one former soldier, have been arrested following federal grand jury indictments in the District of Oregon and the Western District of Washington. Jian Zhao and Li Tian, both stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, along with Ruoyu Duan, a former Army soldier, face charges related to national security violations, bribery, and theft of government property.
- Jian Zhao
- Li Tian
- Ruoyu Duan
Tian and Duan were indicted in the District of Oregon for conspiring to commit bribery and steal government property. Meanwhile, Zhao was charged in the Western District of Washington for conspiracy to obtain and transmit national defense information to an unauthorized individual, along with bribery and theft.
“The individuals arrested today are accused of betraying our nation by undermining its defense and aiding adversaries in China,” said Attorney General Pamela J. Bondi. “They will face swift and severe justice.”
FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized the agency’s commitment to rooting out espionage, stating, “Bribery and corruption may be widespread under China’s Communist Party, but we will not tolerate such conduct among our service members, entrusted with sensitive military information. The FBI, alongside our partners, will continue to counter efforts to steal classified U.S. military intelligence and hold accountable those who betray our national security. We thank U.S. Army Counterintelligence for their collaboration in this investigation.”
Acting U.S. Attorney William M. Narus for the District of Oregon expressed gratitude to federal investigators, stating, “The U.S. Attorney’s Office commends the FBI and Army Counterintelligence Command for their diligence in protecting our national security.”
Brig. Gen. Rhett R. Cox, Commanding General of Army Counterintelligence Command, reinforced the Army’s stance against insider threats: “These arrests highlight the growing foreign intelligence threat to our military and nation. Army Counterintelligence, alongside the Department of Justice and FBI, will continue to hold accountable those who compromise their duty for personal gain. We urge all service members to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity.”
Case Details:
The District of Oregon indictment alleges that from November 28, 2021, to December 19, 2024, Duan and Tian conspired to gather sensitive U.S. Army operational information, including technical manuals and classified data on military weapon systems. Tian, an active-duty officer, allegedly collected details on the Bradley and Stryker fighting vehicles and transmitted them to Duan in exchange for money, violating his official duties.
In the Western District of Washington, the indictment alleges that from July 2024 until his arrest, Zhao, a U.S. Army Supply Sergeant, conspired to obtain and transmit classified national defense information to individuals in China. He is accused of negotiating the sale of classified hard drives labeled “SECRET” and “TOP SECRET” and receiving at least $10,000 in exchange. Additionally, Zhao is alleged to have stolen and attempted to sell a government-issued encryption-capable computer, as well as sensitive documents related to the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and U.S. military readiness in the event of a conflict with China. His total illicit earnings are estimated at over $15,000.
The FBI and U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command led the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Geoffrey Barrow and Katherine Rykken in the District of Oregon are handling the prosecution, alongside Trial Attorneys Christopher Cook and Yifei Zheng from the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.