In a significant press release issued on Thursday, March 6, Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Department of Justice (DOJ) declared that the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), under the direction of Director Kash Patel, had apprehended three U.S. soldiers, two of whom are currently on active duty, on charges related to treason and the theft of national property.

The statement began by identifying the three accused individuals, stating, “Jian Zhao and Li Tian, active-duty U.S. Army soldiers stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, along with Ruoyu Duan, a former U.S. Army soldier, were arrested today following indictments by federal grand juries in the District of Oregon and the Western District of Washington. Tian and Duan faced charges in the District of Oregon for conspiring to commit bribery and theft of government property. Zhao was charged in the Western District of Washington for conspiring to obtain and transmit national defense information to an unauthorized individual, as well as for bribery and theft of government property.”

Further detailing the alleged treasonous activities, the statement elaborated, “The indictment in the District of Oregon claims that starting on or about November 28, 2021, and continuing at least until December 19, 2024, Duan and Tian, along with others known and unknown to the grand jury, conspired to secretly collect sensitive military information pertaining to the operational capabilities of the United States Army, including technical manuals and other classified information. It is alleged that Tian transmitted this information to Duan in exchange for money, thereby violating his official duties as an active-duty U.S. Army officer. Specifically, Tian was responsible for gathering information related to U.S. military weapon systems, including details concerning the Bradley and Stryker U.S. Army fighting vehicles, and relaying this information to Duan.

In addition, the statement indicated, “The indictment in the Western District of Washington claims that starting in or around July 2024, and continuing until the time of the arrest, Jian Zhao, a U.S. Army Supply Sergeant on active duty, conspired with both known and unknown individuals to the grand jury to acquire and transmit national defense information to persons located in China. Furthermore, Zhao is alleged to have engaged in bribery and theft of government property.”

Moreover, the statement highlighted the type of highly classified technology that one of the defendants was purportedly supplying to the Communist Chinese, stating, “Specifically, Zhao was charged with conspiracy to collect and transmit several classified hard drives, including those labeled ‘SECRET’ and ‘TOP SECRET’, negotiating with individuals in China for their sale, and agreeing to send the classified hard drives to these individuals in China. In return for the sale of the classified hard drives, Zhao allegedly received no less than $10,000.”

The statement further elaborated, “Zhao is also alleged to have conspired to sell a computer capable of encryption that was stolen from the U.S. Government, along with sensitive U.S. military documents and information, including details related to the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), and information concerning U.S. military readiness in the event of a conflict with the People’s Republic of China. Zhao is accused of violating his responsibilities as a U.S. Army Soldier and public official by failing to protect sensitive military information in exchange for financial gain. In total, Zhao is alleged to have corruptly received and accepted payments amounting to at least $15,000.”

In remarks regarding the case, AG Bondi stated, “The defendants arrested today are charged with betraying our nation, actively undermining America’s defense capabilities, and empowering our adversaries in China.” She further asserted that they will be held accountable, declaring, “They will face swift, severe, and comprehensive justice.”

FBI Director Patel also contributed to the discussion. He remarked, regarding the involvement of American service members in aiding China, “While bribery and corruption have flourished under the Communist Party of China, such conduct is unacceptable for our service members who are entrusted with sensitive military information, including national defense data.”

He further stated, “The FBI, along with our partners, will persist in our efforts to expose attempts by individuals in China to pilfer sensitive U.S. military information and ensure that all those involved in compromising our national defense are held accountable. The FBI expresses gratitude to U.S. Army Counterintelligence for their close collaboration throughout this investigation.”

Additionally, W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Seattle Field Office, provided his insights on the situation and its implications, stating, “It is utterly unacceptable for an individual in the uniform of a U.S. Army soldier to betray our nation and the trust of their fellow soldiers.”

He concluded, “These arrests should serve as a warning to potential spies that we, along with our partners, possess both the determination and the capability to locate you, pursue you, and bring you to justice. Safeguarding the nation’s secrets, particularly those essential for maintaining our military superiority and protecting our troops, remains one of the FBI’s highest priorities.