PORTLAND, Ore. — Three U.S. Army soldiers, including two active-duty members, have been arrested following grand jury indictments in the District of Oregon and the Western District of Washington. The charges stem from an alleged conspiracy involving bribery, theft of government property, and the illegal transmission of national defense information.
Jian Zhao and Li Tian, both active-duty soldiers, are accused of conspiring to steal and bribe others for sensitive military information. Zhao is facing multiple charges in Oregon, including conspiring to collect and transmit classified U.S. military documents to individuals in China. The indictment details how Zhao allegedly stole hard drives marked “SECRET” and “TOP SECRET,” including data related to the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), and sold them for at least $10,000. Authorities also claim that Zhao sold sensitive information concerning U.S. military readiness in the event of a conflict with China.
The indictment further alleges that Zhao, in exchange for these sales, accepted over $15,000 in bribes. The case highlights the gravity of Zhao’s alleged actions, as they directly violate his responsibilities as a U.S. Army soldier and public official to protect national security.
Li Tian, also charged in the District of Oregon, is accused of conspiring with Zhao and others to illegally obtain sensitive military documents and transmit them to unauthorized parties. Tian allegedly provided critical information to Ruoyu Duan, a former soldier, who is facing charges in Washington state.
Duan, who is no longer an active member of the military, has been charged with conspiring to transmit national defense information to an individual unauthorized to receive it, in addition to bribery and theft of government property. According to the indictment in the Western District of Washington, Duan, along with Tian, began gathering technical manuals and other classified documents starting in late 2021. These materials were reportedly sold for monetary compensation.
The cases, which span multiple jurisdictions, are being investigated by the FBI field offices in Portland and Seattle, along with the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command. Additional support has been provided by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.
The arrests come at a time of heightened concern over national security and the protection of classified military data. The U.S. Department of Justice has expressed its commitment to investigating and prosecuting individuals who breach the public trust and endanger national security.
“These soldiers violated their duties and the trust placed in them by the American people,” said a spokesperson for the Department of Justice. “We will continue to work tirelessly to hold those responsible for these actions accountable.”
As the investigation continues, these arrests underscore the ongoing threat of espionage and corruption within the ranks of the U.S. military, as well as the vulnerability of sensitive information to foreign actors. The cases serve as a stark reminder of the potential consequences when classified material falls into the wrong hands.