- The Justice Department has indicted two active-duty and one former U.S. Army soldiers on charges of bribery, theft and conspiracy to transmit national defense information. They allegedly sold sensitive military information to individuals in China.
- The suspects conspired to obtain and sell classified materials, including technical manuals and hard drives labeled “SECRET” and “TOP SECRET,” over several years.
- Authorities emphasized severe consequences for leaking national security secrets.
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The U.S. indicted two active-duty U.S. Army soldiers and a former soldier on charges of bribery, theft of government property as well as conspiracy to transmit national defense information. The Justice Department announced the arrests of First Lt. Li Tian, Sgt. Jian Zhao and former soldier Ruoyu Duan.
Tian and Zhao served at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state. Duan previously served in the U.S. Army.
What charges do the suspects face?
Federal bribery indictments alleged that the three men conspired to obtain and sell sensitive U.S. military information to individuals in China.
Authorities alleged that Tian and Duan gathered technical manuals with classified details about Bradley and Stryker armored vehicles and transmitted them in exchange for money.
Zhao allegedly sold classified hard drives — some labeled “SECRET” and “TOP SECRET” — and attempted to sell encryption equipment and information about the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).
The Justice Department said Zhao accepted at least $15,000 in payments for sensitive military materials.
How did the scheme unfold?
Prosecutors said the conspiracy spanned multiple years.
Tian and Duan allegedly worked together from November 2021 to December 2024 to acquire and transmit classified materials.
Zhao allegedly joined the scheme in July 2024, selling classified hard drives and negotiating deals for sensitive U.S. military information.
In an encrypted exchange cited in the indictment, Zhao referred to a HIMARS-related document as a “very sensitive document” and demanded $3,000.
Prosecutors also alleged that Zhao attempted to sell information about military readiness in the event of a conflict with China.
How has the American government responded?
- Attorney General Pam Bondi condemned the alleged actions, saying the suspects were “actively working to weaken America’s defense capabilities.”
- Brig. Gen. Rhett R. Cox, commander of the Army Counterintelligence Command, described the case as proof of a “persistent and increasing foreign intelligence threat” targeting the military.
- FBI Director Kash Patel said, “The FBI and our partners will 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.”
What happens next?
The suspects will face prosecution in federal court, where they could receive lengthy prison sentences if convicted.
The Justice Department has not revealed whether there are any other individuals under investigation.
