FBI Director Kash Patel Announces Shock Arrest of US Soldiers: 'Empowering Adversaries Like China in Betrayal of Our Country'
FBI Director Kash Patel has revealed that federal authorities, in collaboration with Attorney General Pam Bondi’s team, have arrested two active-duty U.S. Army soldiers and one former soldier. The individuals are accused of unlawfully acquiring and sharing government intelligence to benefit China.
According to a statement from the Justice Department, active-duty soldiers Jian Zhao and Li Tian, along with former soldier Ruoyu Duan, were taken into custody on Thursday. Their arrests came "following indictments by federal grand juries in the District of Oregon and the Western District of Washington."
Duan and Tian are alleged to have conspired between November 2021 and December 2024 to obtain “sensitive military information related to the United States Army’s operational capabilities.”
The classified data reportedly included “technical manuals and other sensitive information.” Tian is accused of transferring these materials to Duan in exchange for financial compensation.
Among the information allegedly obtained by Tian were details on American weapons systems, such as the Bradley and Stryker vehicles, which he then passed on to Duan.
Zhao is suspected of working to "transmit national defense information to individuals based in China," receiving at least $15,000 in return for classified hard drives and additional sensitive materials.
Furthermore, Zhao allegedly stole an encryption-capable computer containing data on the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, as well as intelligence concerning American military preparedness “in the event of a conflict with the People’s Republic of China.”
These actions, if proven, would constitute a significant breach of the responsibilities entrusted to Army personnel.
“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,” Patel posted to X on Friday.
“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.”
Patel, Bondi, and other officials stressed the importance of addressing such security breaches.
“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,” Patel stated, according to the DOJ release.
“The FBI and our partners will continue to work to uncover attempts by those in China to steal sensitive U.S. military information and hold all accountable who play a role in betraying our national defense,” he continued.
“The FBI would like to thank U.S. Army Counterintelligence for their close partnership during this investigation.”
Bondi also emphasized the severity of the allegations, declaring that “the defendants arrested today are accused of betraying our country, actively working to weaken America’s defense capabilities and empowering our adversaries in China.”
She assured the public that “[t]hey will face swift, severe, and comprehensive justice.”