Three U.S. Army soldiers face severe espionage charges after allegedly selling classified military secrets to China for just thousands of dollars, compromising national security and betraying their sworn oaths to protect America.
At a Glance
- Two active-duty U.S. Army soldiers and one former soldier have been arrested by the FBI for allegedly selling sensitive military information to China
- The accused – Jian Zhao, Li Tian, and former soldier Ruoyu Duan – allegedly sold classified information including missile defense systems data for as little as $5,000-$10,000
- They face charges including conspiracy to commit bribery, theft of government property, and transmitting national defense information
- The espionage activities allegedly occurred from November 2021 through December 2024
- Attorney General Pam Bondi promised “swift, severe, and comprehensive justice” for the accused
Betrayal for a Pittance
In a shocking breach of national security, federal authorities have arrested two active-duty Army soldiers and one former serviceman for allegedly selling critical military secrets to China. The soldiers – identified as Jian Zhao, Li Tian, and former soldier Ruoyu Duan – have been indicted by federal grand juries in Oregon and Washington state following an extensive FBI investigation that revealed a coordinated conspiracy to transfer sensitive defense information to a foreign adversary.
According to Department of Justice officials, the accused soldiers compromised information about U.S. missile defense systems and Army combat vehicle operations, selling out their country for surprisingly small sums of money. Zhao allegedly transmitted classified hard drives and sensitive military information to Chinese agents in exchange for just $10,000, while in a separate scheme, he received approximately $5,000 for selling a stolen government computer and sensitive documents.
The conspiracy allegedly ran from November 2021 through December 2024, with Tian gathering restricted information at Duan’s direction in exchange for financial compensation. Of particular concern to military officials was the theft of technical specifications for the Bradley and Stryker fighting vehicles – critical platforms in the U.S. Army’s combat capabilities. The theft of these military secrets represents not only a criminal breach but a direct compromise of American combat effectiveness.
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Swift and Severe Justice Promised
Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a stern warning about the consequences facing the accused soldiers. “The defendants arrested today are accused of betraying our country, actively working to weaken America’s defense capabilities and empowering our adversaries in China,” she said. The Department of Justice has made it clear that the accused will face the full weight of American justice for their alleged betrayal.
The charges against the soldiers are substantial. Tian and Duan were charged in Oregon with conspiracy to commit bribery and theft of government property. Separately, Zhao faces charges in Washington state for conspiracy to obtain and transmit national defense information, bribery, and theft of government property. If convicted on all counts, the men could face decades in federal prison.
Deterring Future Espionage
Federal officials have made it clear that these arrests serve a dual purpose: bringing the accused to justice while sending a powerful message to others who might consider similar betrayals. “These arrests should send a message to would-be spies that we and our partners have the will and the ability to find you, track you down, and hold you to account,” Special Agent Mike Herrington said.
The investigation was conducted jointly by the FBI Portland and Seattle Field Offices and the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command.
