FBI Director Reports Two Soldiers Arrested In Bribery Scheme
The arrest of three individuals, including two active-duty soldiers from Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), on charges of espionage and bribery has sent shockwaves through national security circles. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has confirmed that Jian Zhao, Li Tian, and former soldier Ruoyu Duan face serious allegations involving the theft and transmission of sensitive military information, with direct ties to the People’s Republic of China.
The gravity of these accusations cannot be overstated. According to the DOJ, Zhao, stationed at JBLM, is accused of conspiring to leak national defense information, including classified documents marked SECRET and TOP SECRET, to unauthorized individuals in China.
He allegedly negotiated the sale of stolen encrypted hard drives and received at least $10,000 in exchange for critical intelligence—information that could directly impact U.S. military readiness in the event of a conflict with China.
BREAKING: I can now report that today the FBI, along with our interagency partners led by @AGPamBondi, arrested two active duty U.S. Army soldiers and one former U.S. Army soldier for theft of government property and a bribery scheme.
These individuals have been charged with…
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) March 7, 2025
Meanwhile, Tian and Duan, indicted in Oregon, are accused of conspiring to commit bribery and theft of government property between November 2021 and December 2024. The indictment states that Tian gathered and transmitted sensitive U.S. Army technical manuals to Duan for financial gain, further deepening the concerns surrounding the extent of foreign influence on U.S. military personnel.
Authorities have responded with swift and unequivocal condemnation. Brig. Gen. Rhett R. Cox, Commanding General of Army Counterintelligence Command, emphasized the growing foreign intelligence threats facing the U.S. military, while FBI officials warned that these betrayals compromise national security at the highest levels.
Special Agent W. Mike Herrington of the FBI’s Seattle Field Office underscored the severity of the situation, stating, “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.”
The implications of this case extend beyond the immediate criminal charges. The arrests highlight the persistent challenge of countering espionage efforts targeting the U.S. military, particularly from foreign adversaries like China. The alleged sale of highly sensitive information, including details on the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), underscores the strategic significance of the intelligence compromised.
Joint Base Lewis-McChord has confirmed its full cooperation with the ongoing investigation but has refrained from providing further details to maintain the integrity of the case. The DOJ has credited the FBI’s Portland and Seattle Field Offices, U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command, and several other federal agencies for their coordination in uncovering and responding to the alleged espionage operation.