Three U.S Soldiers with Oregon Ties, Arrested for Alleged Espionage and Bribery

Portland, Oregon- Three individuals, including two active-duty U.S. Army soldiers, were arrested following federal indictments in Oregon and Washington for allegedly conspiring to transmit sensitive military information and accepting bribes.

Jian Zhao and Li Tian, both stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and Ruoyu Duan, a former U.S. Army soldier, face charges related to bribery, theft of government property, and the transmission of national defense information.

Charges and Allegations

Tian and Duan were indicted in the District of Oregon for conspiracy to commit bribery and theft of government property. According to the indictment, between November 28, 2021, and December 19, 2024, Tian allegedly gathered sensitive military information, including technical manuals on U.S. Army weapon systems such as the Bradley and Stryker fighting vehicles. Tian is accused of transmitting this information to Duan in exchange for payment.

Zhao was indicted in the Western District of Washington on charges of conspiring to obtain and transmit national defense information, bribery, and theft of government property. The indictment alleges that, starting in July 2024, Zhao conspired to collect and transmit classified hard drives marked “SECRET” and “TOP SECRET” to individuals in China in exchange for at least $10,000. He is also accused of attempting to sell an encryption-capable computer stolen from the U.S. government, as well as sensitive military documents, including information related to the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and U.S. military readiness in a potential conflict with China. In total, Zhao allegedly received at least $15,000 in corrupt payments.

Government Response

Attorney General Pamela J. Bondi condemned the alleged actions, stating, “The defendants arrested today are accused of betraying our country, actively working to weaken America’s defense capabilities and empowering our adversaries in China. They will face swift, severe, and comprehensive justice.”

FBI Director Kash Patel highlighted concerns over foreign intelligence threats, saying, “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.” He added that the FBI, in partnership with the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command, will continue to investigate efforts to steal U.S. military secrets.

Brig. Gen. Rhett R. Cox, Commanding General of Army Counterintelligence Command, emphasized the risks posed by such breaches. “These arrests underscore the persistent and increasing foreign intelligence threat facing our Army and nation,” he said. “We remind all members of the Army team to increase their vigilance and protect our Army by reporting suspicious activity.”

Investigations and Prosecution

The FBI’s Portland and Seattle field offices, along with U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command, led the investigation, with assistance from the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Seattle Field Office, CBP Office of Professional Responsibility, United States Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division, and Naval Criminal Investigative Service.

Acting U.S. Attorney William M. Narus for the District of Oregon commended the investigative efforts, stating, “The U.S. Attorney’s Office thanks the FBI and the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command for their hard work on this investigation and commitment to protecting our national security.”

Douglas A. Olson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Portland Field Office, stressed the severity of the case. “As former and current members of the U.S. Army, Ruoyu Duan and Li Tian betrayed the oath of military service they had taken. Their actions caused significant risk and damage to U.S. national security.”

W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Seattle Field Office, warned against future espionage attempts. “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.”

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Geoffrey A. Barrow and Katherine A. Rykken from the District of Oregon, along with Christopher Cook and Yifei Zheng, Trial Attorneys from the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, are prosecuting the case.