Federal authorities announced the arrests of three individuals—two active-duty U.S. Army soldiers and one former soldier—on charges ranging from bribery to conspiring to transmit national defense information. The arrests were made following indictments handed down by federal grand juries in Oregon and Washington.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Jian Zhao and Li Tian, both active-duty soldiers stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and Ruoyu Duan, a former Army soldier, face multiple charges. Tian and Duan were indicted in the District of Oregon for conspiring to commit bribery and theft of government property, while Zhao was charged in the Western District of Washington for conspiring to obtain and transmit national defense information to unauthorized individuals, as well as bribery and theft of government property.
“These defendants…are accused of betraying our country, actively working to weaken America’s defense capabilities and empowering our adversaries in China,” said Attorney General Pamela J. Bondi in a statement. “They will face swift, severe, and comprehensive justice.”
FBI Director Kash Patel underscored the seriousness of these allegations, referencing efforts by China to steal sensitive U.S. military information: “While bribery and corruption have thrived under China’s Communist Party, this behavior cannot be tolerated with our service members who are entrusted with sensitive military information, including national defense information. The FBI and our partners will continue to work to 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.”
Acting U.S. Attorney William M. Narus for the District of Oregon expressed appreciation for the work of the FBI and U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command, while Brig. Gen. Rhett R. Cox, Commanding General of Army Counterintelligence Command, noted that these arrests underscore an ongoing foreign intelligence threat to the U.S. military and urged service members to be vigilant.
The District of Oregon indictment alleges that between November 28, 2021, and December 19, 2024, Duan and Tian conspired to gather and transmit sensitive U.S. Army operational information—including technical manuals and other restricted data—to unidentified individuals. Investigators claim that Tian supplied details on U.S. military weapon systems, including information on Bradley and Stryker fighting vehicles, to Duan in exchange for money.
In the Western District of Washington, authorities allege that starting in July 2024 through the date of arrest, Zhao, who served as a U.S. Army supply sergeant, worked with unnamed co-conspirators to collect and transmit national defense information to contacts in China. Prosecutors also say Zhao negotiated the sale of classified hard drives marked “SECRET” and “TOP SECRET,” ultimately receiving at least $10,000.
The indictment further alleges Zhao intended to sell an encryption-capable computer, stolen government documents, and sensitive material about High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and U.S. military readiness. In total, he is accused of pocketing at least $15,000 for compromising these materials.
The FBI and the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command led the investigation. Prosecutors from the District of Oregon, along with trial attorneys from the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, will handle the cases.
Soon after the arrests, FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X (formerly Twitter):
> “These individuals have been charged with stealing America’s defense intelligence capabilities and empowering adversaries like China in betrayal of our country. They will now face American justice.”
All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
