[UpNorthLive] 2 JBLM soldiers, ex-member charged with trying to sell military secrets to buyers in China
Three people, including two active-duty JBLM soldiers, were arrested following federal grand jury indictments in Oregon and Washington, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
The DOJ reported that Jian Zhao and Li Tian, both stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, along with former soldier Ruoyu Duan, face serious charges related to espionage and bribery.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office thanks the FBI and U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command for their hard work on this investigation and commitment to protecting our national security,” said Acting U.S. Attorney William M. Narus for the District of Oregon.
A JBLM spokesperson provided the following statement to KOMO News regarding the indictments:
“We are aware of the indictment of two active-duty service members assigned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. We are fully committed to supporting the ongoing interagency investigation and prosecution of this case," wrote Col. Jennifer J. Bocanegra, a Public Affairs Officer for JBLM. "To protect the integrity of the investigation and in accordance with Army policy, we are unable to provide additional details on the case.”
Tian and Duan were indicted in Oregon for conspiring to commit bribery and theft of government property. Zhao faces charges in Washington for conspiring to "obtain and transmit national defense information" to unauthorized individuals, as well as bribery and theft of government property, according to the DOJ.
“The defendants arrested today are accused of betraying our country, actively working to weaken America’s defense capabilities and empowering our adversaries in China,” said Attorney General Pamela J. Bondi. “They will face swift, severe, and comprehensive justice.”
"While bribery and corruption have thrived under China’s Communist Party, this behavior cannot be tolerated with our service members who are entrusted with sensitive military information, including national defense information," wrote FBI Director Kash Patel.
The indictment in Oregon alleges that from November 2021 to December 2024, Duan and Tian conspired to gather sensitive military information, including technical manuals related to U.S. Army weapon systems, and that Tian transmitted this information to Duan for money.
The DOJ said in Washington, Zhao is accused of conspiring since July 2024 to leak national defense information to individuals in China. The DOJ also noted that Zhao allegedly negotiated the sale of classified hard drives, marked "SECRET" and "TOP SECRET," and received at least $10,000 in exchange.
Zhao is also accused of conspiring to sell a stolen encryption-capable computer and sensitive military documents, including information on the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and U.S. military readiness "in the event of a conflict with the People’s Republic of China."
"These arrests underscore the persistent and increasing foreign intelligence threat facing our Army and nation," wrote Brig. Gen. Rhett R. Cox, Commanding General of Army Counterintelligence Command.
As a former member of the U.S. Army, Ruoyu Duan betrayed the oath of military service he had once taken,” said FBI Portland Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Olson. “The actions by this former soldier and his co-conspirators caused significant risk and damage to U.S. National Security and violated the oath they took as military members to protect the American people.”
“It is unconscionable that a person who wears the uniform of a U.S. Army soldier would betray our country and the trust of his fellow soldiers,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Seattle Field Office. “These arrests should send a message to would-be spies that we and our partners have the will and the ability to find you, track you down, and hold you to account. Protecting the nation’s secrets, especially those necessary to preserve our military advantage and protect our troops, is one of the FBI’s top priorities.”
The DOJ said the case was investigated by the FBI Portland and Seattle Field Offices and U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command, with assistance from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Seattle Field Office, CBP Office of Professional Responsibility, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. 
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