Two active-duty US soldiers and one former soldier were arrested Thursday in Oregon and on suspicion of their role in sending sensitive information to Chinese individuals, according to the Justice Department.
The accused are Jean Zao and Lee Tian, who were stationed at Luis Muchodo's joint base, and former soldier Ruyo Duan.
All three have been charged with conspiracy to commit bribery and government property theft. Zhao faces an additional fee of conspiracy to obtain and send defense information to individuals who are not authorized to receive it.
“The defendants arrested today are accused of betraying our country, weakening America's defensive capabilities and working actively to empower China's enemies,” Attorney General Pam Bondy said. “They will face quick, harsh, comprehensive justice.”
US Army soldiers charged Trump's hacking and Harris' phone record
The Justice Department has announced indictments against three US military soldiers (two active and one former) for their suspected role in collecting and selling sensitive information to China. (Beata Zawrzel/Nurphoto via Getty Images)
Duan and Tian are accused of conspiring with each other from November 28, 2021 to December 19, 2024 to “secretly gather sensitive military information related to the operational capabilities of the US Army,” the DOJ said. The information included technical manuals and military weapons systems, particularly Bradley and Striker's US military combat vehicles.
According to DOJ, Tian, an active military officer, was tasked with collecting the above information from former soldier Duan.
Zhao, an active Army supply sergeant, is said to have begun conspiracy to obtain and send defense information to the Chinese people in July 2024.
“Specifically, Zhao has been charged with conspiracy to collect and send several classified hard drives, including hard drives marked as “secret” and “top secret,” and has agreed to negotiate with a China-based individual and send hard drives classified as Chinese individuals.
Attorney General Bondi said three men accused of “betraying our country” in order to empower China were “betraying our country.” (AP)
He is said to have received at least $10,000 in exchange for a classified hard drive.
The army soldier was declared 14 years on an ISIS plot to kill the US military after demanding he serves for 40 years
He has also been accused of conspiring to sell stolen computers from the US government, including sensitive military documents and information, including information related to High Mobility Artillery Fire Systems (HIMARS) and military preparations in the event of a conflict with China. Zhao is said to have accepted about $5,000 in payment for the aforementioned items.
“Zhao is allegedly violated his duties as a US Army soldier and civil servant in order to protect military intelligence that is sensitive to money,” the DOJ said.
The two men accused were Jean Zao and Lee Tian, who were stationed at a joint base at Lewis McCord in Washington. (Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
Mike Herrington, a special agent in charge of the FBI's Seattlefield office, described all three actions as “merciless.”
“These arrests should send a message that we and our partners will become spies who have the will and ability to find you, track you down, and make you explain,” Herrington said. “To maintain the secrets of the country, especially the military superiority and protect what is needed to protect the military, is one of the FBI's top priorities.”
Click here to get the Fox News app
FBI director Kash Patel said the man “facing American justice” after “stole American defence intelligence capabilities and empowers enemies like China in betrayal of our nation.”
