U.S. Soldiers Indicted for Selling Military Secrets to China

Last week, Sgt. Jian Zhao, Lt. Li Tian, and former soldier Ruoyu Duan were arrested by federal police on charges that they planned to sell secret military materials to Chinese government spies. In return for thousands of dollars, the indictment says they sent private information about U.S. Army combat vehicles, rocket systems, and military drills.

Zhao, who was stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) in Washington, is said to have been paid $15,000 for giving 20 hard drives with secret information, a stolen computer that could encrypt data, and papers about the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and Army Pacific military drills.

"The threat from China remains particularly pervasive," FBI Special Agent Mike Herrington said Thursday, stressing how dangerous these kinds of spying are for national security.

Zhao, a battery supply sergeant in charge of $55 million worth of Army gear, is accused of negotiating prices for secret materials through private online channels. He is said to have told his source in China to find buyers for the stolen information.

Zhao texted, "Do you know how risky this is?!" during one chat to show that he was worried about the danger.

His partner in crime told him, "If I were you, I wouldn't dare," but they promised Zhao that they already had a buyer lined up.

Lt. Li Tian, who runs the health services at JBLM, is accused of giving Duan private information about Bradley and Stryker battle vehicles in exchange for $500. Court records show that Duan bought a white paper on investing in business real estate from Tian for $1,500.

All three are being charged by the federal government and could get long jail terms if they are found guilty. The case shows how worried people are getting that China is spying on the U.S. military and security infrastructure.