Three U.S. Military Personnel Arrested for Alleged Espionage and Theft of Classified Materials

In a significant national security development, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has announced the arrests of two active-duty soldiers and one former service member for alleged acts of espionage, bribery, and theft of classified government property. The individuals are accused of providing sensitive U.S. military information to foreign contacts.

The Department of Justice released a formal statement outlining the charges, which stem from separate but related investigations in the District of Oregon and the Western District of Washington. The defendants—identified as Jian Zhao and Li Tian, both active-duty members of the U.S. Army stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and Ruoyu Duan, a former U.S. Army soldier—are facing multiple federal charges.

Zhao, the DOJ said, is accused of conspiring to transmit national defense information and classified materials to unauthorized recipients, in addition to bribery and theft of government equipment. According to the indictment, Zhao had obtained classified hard drives—some labeled “SECRET” and “TOP SECRET”—and engaged in negotiations to sell them to individuals based in China.

In return for the materials, Zhao allegedly received over $15,000 in total payments. Among the items he is charged with attempting to sell was a secure government-issued computer system capable of advanced encryption, as well as documents related to sensitive U.S. military platforms such as the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). The documents also reportedly included assessments of U.S. military preparedness in potential conflict scenarios.

The separate indictment filed in the District of Oregon details a broader conspiracy involving Tian and Duan, in which the two men allegedly coordinated to obtain sensitive military manuals and documents detailing U.S. Army weapon systems. This information, which included technical data on the Bradley and Stryker armored fighting vehicles, was reportedly exchanged for monetary compensation.

The alleged espionage activities occurred over a span of nearly three years, beginning in late 2021 and continuing until December 2024. Investigators claim that Tian, while still on active duty, collected restricted information and transmitted it to Duan, who had already left military service. These actions, prosecutors say, constituted a betrayal of official duty and a violation of national security protocols.

Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a statement emphasizing the gravity of the allegations: “The defendants arrested today are accused of betraying our country by working to weaken its defense and enable foreign interests. These charges reflect the seriousness with which we treat threats to our national security. Those who attempt to undermine it will be met with swift and firm justice.”

The FBI, under its new leadership, credited interagency cooperation for the arrests. “This case was the result of a strong partnership between the FBI and U.S. Army Counterintelligence,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “While corruption and espionage may be exploited elsewhere, those who wear the uniform of the United States have a duty to uphold the highest standards of integrity and loyalty.”

Patel added that the agency remains vigilant in detecting and addressing any attempts to compromise U.S. defense systems, particularly through foreign intelligence operations. “We will continue to identify and respond to individuals and networks working to gain access to sensitive military information,” he said.

The Department of Justice stressed that the investigation is ongoing, and additional charges or arrests are possible. All three individuals are expected to appear in federal court in their respective districts in the coming days. If convicted on all counts, the defendants could face lengthy prison sentences, fines, and further consequences under federal espionage and corruption statutes.

National security experts say the case highlights the persistent challenges of safeguarding classified materials in a digital era where information can be stored, duplicated, and transmitted with relative ease. Analysts also point to the evolving tactics of foreign intelligence agencies, which increasingly seek out insiders willing to trade information for financial gain.

The U.S. military has launched internal reviews in response to the case, focusing on the handling of classified information and the oversight of personnel with access to high-level defense systems.

As the legal process unfolds, federal officials reaffirmed their commitment to protecting national defense capabilities and maintaining the trust placed in service members.

“This situation underscores why robust counterintelligence efforts are essential,” said one Justice Department official. “The individuals charged today represent a small minority, and their actions do not reflect the dedication of the vast majority of those who serve honorably.”