U.S. Army soldiers accused of selling military secrets, including to China
Two active-duty American soldiers and a former soldier were arrested and charged with selling state secrets to foreign countries, including China, including China. The Justice Department said Thursday.
Active-duty soldier Li Tian and former soldier Ruoyu Duan were charged in Oregon for seeking bribery and theft of government property. Active-duty soldier Zheng Zhao was charged in Washington state with conspiracy to obtain and pass defense information to individuals who were not authorized to receive it, as well as bribery and theft of government property.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said all three men were accused of betraying our country, actively working to undermine the U.S. defense capabilities and empower our opponents in China. ”
“They will face quick, harsh and comprehensive justice,” Bondy said.
The Justice Department said Duane and Tian and other accomplices allegedly “secretly collected sensitive military information related to the U.S. Army’s combat capabilities” from late November 2021 to December 2024. The Justice Department said Tian allegedly collected the materials, including technical manuals and information about the U.S. military weapon system, and handed them to Duane in exchange for money.
Court documents say Zhao began conspiring to steal and sell military information in July 2024. He is allegedly responsible for sending the information to individuals in China. According to court documents, the information he allegedly transferred includes classified hard drives, including devices marked “secret” and “top secret.”
Ministry of Justice
Zhao also allegedly conspired to sell an encryptable computer stolen by the U.S. government. People who access the computer will be able to read sensitive encrypted documents. Zhao also allegedly sold information related to the military’s high-mobile rocket system and information on Chinese military preparations.
The indictment says theft and sale of information could “put the national security of the United States and the safety of the defendant Zhao’s fellow citizens at risk.”
The information has been sent to a person named “Accomplice 1”. According to the indictment, the accomplice resides in China and found information and documents spread by buyer Zhao. Zhao also spoke with other unnamed accomplices about the sales of information. Zhao allegedly obtained at least $15,000 in theft information.
The Justice Department said the case was investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command.
Ministry of Justice
