‘Unconscionable:’ Active-duty JBLM soldier indicted for espionage, bribery; 2 others also charged
Mar 7, 2025, 5:29 AM | Updated: Jun 18, 2025, 4:57 pm
A JBLM sign. (Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
Two active-duty Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldiers and a former U.S. Army soldier have been indicted in connection with conspiring to transmit national defense information, theft of government property, and transferring sensitive military information, federal authorities announced Thursday.
A federal grand jury indicted Sergeant Jian Zhao on charges of espionage, bribery, and theft of government property.
The indictment in the Western District of Washington alleges that from July 2024 until his arrest, Zhao conspired to obtain and transmit national defense information to individuals in China.
He allegedly collected and transmitted classified hard drives, including those marked “SECRET” and “TOP SECRET,” negotiating their sale with individuals in China in exchange for at least $10,000.
Zhao also allegedly conspired to sell a stolen encryption-capable computer and sensitive U.S. military documents, including information on the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and information related to U.S. military readiness in the event of a conflict with China. In total, Zhao allegedly received at least $15,000.
“It is unconscionable that a person who wears the uniform of a U.S. Army soldier would betray our country and the trust of his fellow soldiers,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Seattle Field Office. “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. Protecting the nation’s secrets, especially those necessary to preserve our military advantage and protect our troops, is one of the FBI’s top priorities.”
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JBLM soldier, former U.S. Army soldier allegedly conspired for years
Active-duty JBLM soldier Li Tian and former U.S. Army soldier Ruoyu Duan were also taken into custody following indictments by federal grand juries in the District of Oregon and the Western District of Washington.
The indictment in the District of Oregon alleges that from November 2021 to December 2024, Duan and Tian conspired to gather sensitive military information related to the U.S. Army’s operational capabilities, including technical manuals and sensitive information. Tian allegedly transmitted this information to Duan in exchange for money.
Tian and Duan were charged in the District of Oregon with conspiring to commit bribery and theft of government property. Zhao was charged in the Western District of Washington with conspiring to obtain and transmit national defense information to an unauthorized individual, as well as bribery and theft of government property.
“The defendants arrested today are accused of betraying our country, actively working to weaken America’s defense capabilities, and empowering our adversaries in China,” Attorney General Pamela J. Bondi said via a news release. “They will face swift, severe, and comprehensive justice.”
Tian was tasked with gathering information on U.S. military weapon systems, including the Bradley and Stryker fighting vehicles.
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This story was originally published on March 6, 2025. It has been updated and republished since then.
Contributing: Julia Dallas, MyNorthwest; Aaron Granillo, KIRO Newsradio
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