Three U.S. Army soldiers—two active-duty and one former—have been charged with stealing classified military information and selling it to contacts in China. The accused individuals, Jian Zhao, 1st Lt. Li Tian, and former soldier Ruoyu Duan, allegedly conspired to transmit sensitive defense materials, including classified documents and encrypted military hardware, over several years.
Who Are the Accused?
- Jian Zhao – An active-duty battery supply sergeant stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, responsible for overseeing over $55 million in Army property.
- Li Tian – A first lieutenant and health services administrator, also stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
- Ruoyu Duan – A former soldier who served from 2013 to 2017 and acted as the middleman in the operation.
How the Scheme Unfolded
The conspiracy, which spanned from late 2021 to the end of 2024, involved Tian obtaining classified military documents related to U.S. Army weapon systems, including the Bradley and Stryker fighting vehicles. He then transmitted these materials to Duan, who coordinated their sale abroad. Meanwhile, Zhao used his position to acquire and sell encrypted hard drives and other sensitive military hardware, ultimately escalating to the sale of national defense documents concerning military readiness and strategies for potential conflicts with China.
How Much Money Did They Receive?
The financial incentives for this betrayal were modest compared to the scale of the damage. Zhao reportedly received at least $15,000 in exchange for military hard drives and computers, including those marked “SECRET” and “TOP SECRET.” In one transaction, he negotiated a $2,500 price for a classified document, instructing his contact to “talk to others about the price for the rest.” Tian, on the other hand, accepted at least $500 in March 2023 for sensitive documents and facilitated other transactions amounting to $3,200 for additional materials.
The Damage Done
The classified information sold included:
- Technical details about the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), a key weapon in modern U.S. military operations.
- Military exercise plans, including strategic simulations of potential conflicts with China.
- Encrypted military hard drives and computers that could provide adversaries with insights into U.S. cybersecurity defenses.
While the full extent of the harm caused by this breach is still under assessment, officials warn that such leaks can significantly compromise national security. These materials could provide China with critical intelligence on U.S. military capabilities, strategies, and potential vulnerabilities.
The Investigation and Arrests
The FBI, in collaboration with the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command, uncovered the espionage operation through extensive surveillance, encrypted message tracking, and video footage from military bases. Zhao, for instance, was caught on surveillance cameras photographing classified documents from his desk at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Tian and Duan communicated via encrypted apps and social media platforms, often using coded language to discuss their transactions
U.S. Attorney General Pamela J. Bondi condemned the soldiers’ actions, stating: “The defendants arrested today are accused of betraying our country, actively working to weaken America’s defense capabilities, and empowering our adversaries in China.” FBI Director Kash Patel echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that protecting military secrets is a top priority for national security agencies.
This case is not the first instance of Chinese espionage targeting Joint Base Lewis-McChord. In 2023, another Army soldier, Sgt. Joseph Daniel Schmidt, was indicted for attempting to deliver national defense information to China. Unlike the recent suspects, Schmidt was ultimately found mentally unfit to stand trial.
The Legal Consequences
Zhao, Tian, and Duan face severe charges, including:
- Conspiracy to obtain and transmit national defense information
- Bribery of a public official
- Theft of government property
If convicted, they could face decades in federal prison. The case highlights the increasing threats posed by foreign intelligence efforts and the dire consequences for those who betray their country.
ACZ Editor: You can see that for not very much money, Chinese intelligence got important information on the workings our our military, including likely command and control processes that could be vital in war time. And perhaps this is the tip of the iceberg of the actual damage.