Three individuals connected to the United States Army were arrested on Thursday following indictments by federal grand juries in Oregon and Washington. Jian Zhao and Li Tian, currently serving at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, along with former soldier Ruoyu Duan, have been charged with collaborating with China to undermine US defense operations.
In Washington, Zhao faces allegations of conspiring to share national defense secrets with unauthorized persons, bribery, and theft of government property. Meanwhile, in Oregon, Tian and Duan are accused of conspiracy related to bribery and theft.
Attorney General Pamela J. Bondi stated, “Today’s arrests highlight a betrayal of our nation’s trust. These individuals stand accused of significantly jeopardizing America’s defense capabilities and aiding our adversaries in China. They will be subject to rigorous justice.”
This incident unfolds amidst growing trade tensions between the United States and China, with both nations implementing tariffs on each other’s goods.