In a shocking betrayal of our national security, three soldiers have been caught selling America’s military secrets directly to Communist China. The arrests come amid growing concerns about Beijing’s aggressive espionage operations targeting our defense capabilities.
But don’t worry – Kash Patel has it covered.
At a glance:
• FBI Director Kash Patel announced the arrest of two active-duty U.S. Army soldiers and one former soldier for stealing government secrets for China
• The arrested individuals are Jian Zhao, Li Tian (active duty soldiers), and Ruoyu Duan (former soldier)
• Zhao allegedly received at least $15,000 for transmitting national defense information to individuals in China
• Zhao allegedly stole an encryption-capable computer with information on the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System and U.S. military readiness
• Attorney General Pam Bondi promised “swift, severe, and comprehensive justice” for the accused traitors
Active Duty Military Members Caught Selling America’s Secrets
FBI Director Kash Patel has revealed the arrest of two active-duty U.S. Army soldiers and one former soldier in a major espionage case involving China. The arrests followed indictments by federal grand juries in Oregon and Washington for theft of government property and involvement in a bribery scheme.
The accused – Jian Zhao, Li Tian, and former soldier Ruoyu Duan – allegedly stole classified information about U.S. military capabilities and sold it directly to the Chinese Communist regime. Federal investigators discovered Duan and Tian had been conspiring to gather sensitive military information from November 2021 until their recent arrests.
Massive Payments for Military Secrets
According to the indictment, Tian transferred sensitive information about U.S. Army operational capabilities to Duan in exchange for payment. This betrayal provided Chinese intelligence with direct access to American military operational procedures and technology at a time of increasing tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.
Even more alarming, Zhao allegedly received at least $15,000 for his role in transmitting national defense information to individuals in China. Investigators found Zhao had stolen an encryption-capable computer containing highly sensitive information on the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and detailed assessments of U.S. military readiness.
“The defendants arrested today are accused of betraying our country, actively working to weaken America’s defense capabilities and empowering our adversaries in China,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement following the arrests.
FBI Director Patel also condemned the actions of the accused and emphasized the threat posed by foreign espionage.
“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,” Patel stated.
Just how common might this kind of behavior have been under the Biden administration? A worrying thought…
