3 US Army soldiers arrested for stealing defence intel, aiding adversaries like China: Kash Patel

The FBI, in coordination with interagency partners led by former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, has arrested two active-duty US Army soldiers and one former soldier for allegedly stealing America’s defense intelligence capabilities and empowering adversaries like China.

Kash Patel, in a post on X, confirmed the arrests, stating, “I can now report that today the FBI, along with our interagency partners led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, arrested two active-duty US Army soldiers and one former US Army soldier for theft of government property and a bribery scheme. These individuals have been charged with stealing America’s defense intelligence capabilities and empowering adversaries like China in betrayal of our country. They will now face American justice.”

According to a Department of Justice (DOJ) press release, the arrested individuals have been identified as Jian Zhao and Li Tian, both active-duty soldiers stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and Ruoyu Duan, a former US Army soldier.
“Tian and Duan were charged in the District of Oregon for conspiring to commit bribery and theft of government property. Zhao was charged in the Western District of Washington for conspiring to obtain and transmit national defense information to an unauthorized individual, as well as for bribery and theft of government property,” the DOJ stated.
The arrests come amid heightened concerns over espionage and national security threats, particularly regarding intelligence leaks that could benefit rival nations. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are expected to release further details in the coming days.