Three U.S. Army soldiers, including two who are currently active, have been arrested for allegedly trying to send sensitive military information to China. The arrests were announced by the Justice Department on Thursday, March 6, 2025.
The soldiers involved are Jian Zhao and Li Tian, both stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington, and Ruoyu Duan, a former soldier. They face serious charges for stealing U.S. military secrets, including classified hard drives and documents related to weapon systems and missile defenses.
Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that these individuals are accused of betraying their country and compromising America’s defense capabilities. She emphasized that they will face significant legal consequences for their actions.
The charges against Tian and Duan were filed in Oregon, where they are accused of conspiring to commit bribery and theft of government property. Zhao is facing charges in Washington for conspiring to obtain and transmit national defense information, as well as bribery and theft.
FBI Director Kash Patel condemned the actions of the soldiers, stating that while corruption is rampant under China’s Communist Party, such behavior is unacceptable among U.S. service members. He assured the public that the FBI and its partners will continue to investigate and address attempts by foreign entities to steal sensitive military information.
According to the indictment, the conspiracy began around November 28, 2021. Duan and Tian reportedly worked together to steal technical manuals and other documents to gather information on U.S. Army capabilities. This scheme continued until at least December 19, 2024. Duan allegedly paid Tian for information on specific military vehicles, including the Bradley and Stryker fighting vehicles.
Zhao is accused of selling hard drives marked “SECRET” and “TOP SECRET” to individuals in China for at least $10,000. He also allegedly stole a government computer containing information about the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System and details about a possible conflict between the U.S. and China.
Brig. Gen. Rhett Cox of Army Counterintelligence Command highlighted the ongoing threat posed by foreign intelligence efforts against the U.S. Army. He reaffirmed the commitment of the Army, DOJ, and FBI to hold accountable anyone who compromises national security for personal gain.