U.S. Army Soldiers Charged in Bribery Scheme Stealing Classified Defense Intelligence for China
In a stunning blow to national security, FBI Director Kash Patel announced the arrests of two active-duty U.S. Army soldiers and one former soldier on March 6, 2025, accusing them of stealing sensitive defense intelligence in a U.S. Army soldiers bribery scheme that allegedly benefited adversaries like China. The dramatic move, executed in collaboration with Attorney General Pam Bondi and interagency partners, underscores Patel’s hardline stance on protecting America’s secrets since taking the FBI helm earlier this year.
The accused—Jian Zhao and Li Tian, both stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington, and Ruoyu Duan, a former soldier—face serious charges. Zhao is alleged to have conspired to transmit classified national defense information, pocketing at least $10,000 for handing over hard drives marked "SECRET" and "TOP SECRET," according to a Department of Justice filing in the Western District of Washington. Meanwhile, Tian and Duan, charged in the District of Oregon, are accused of conspiring to commit bribery and theft, peddling sensitive military materials like technical manuals to unauthorized parties.
“These individuals have been charged with stealing America’s defense intelligence capabilities and empowering adversaries like China in betrayal of our country,” Patel declared in a statement late Thursday. “They will now face American justice.” Bondi reinforced the gravity of the situation, vowing “swift, severe, and comprehensive justice” for those who undermine U.S. defenses.
The arrests have sent shockwaves through military and intelligence circles, with early reports suggesting the stolen materials could have compromised critical U.S. capabilities. Social media platforms like X lit up overnight with reactions ranging from outrage to applause for Patel’s decisive action.
This high-profile bust marks a significant early win for Patel, who has prioritized rooting out internal threats since his appointment. For Wecu Media readers, it’s a stark reminder of the stakes in today’s geopolitical chess game—and the relentless efforts to safeguard America’s edge.
Stay tuned as we dig deeper into this developing story.