‘The USA is not happy with me’: Soldier caught red-handed trying to sell out America for a Russian passport

Federal authorities have arrested a 22-year-old active-duty Army soldier stationed at Fort Bliss in Texas for allegedly attempting to share classified information about military tanks with Russia. Taylor Adam Lee was taken into custody Wednesday and charged under the Espionage Act with attempted transmission of national defense information to a foreign adversary, according to the Justice Department. He also faces charges under the Arms Export Control Act.

According to CBS NEWS, the Justice Department stated that Lee transmitted export-controlled technical information about the M1A2 Abrams Tank online and offered assistance to the Russian Federation. Prosecutors claim that Lee, who held a top-secret security clearance, was attempting to exchange this sensitive military information for Russian citizenship. The charges represent a serious breach of national security involving one of the Army’s most advanced combat vehicles, adding to recent political scandals that have captured public attention.

According to federal prosecutors, Lee wrote online earlier this year, “The USA is not happy with me for trying to expose their weaknesses.” He also allegedly stated, “At this point I’d even volunteer to assist the Russian federation when I’m there in any way.” These statements appear to show Lee’s willingness to actively work against American interests and provide support to a foreign adversary.

Soldier allegedly delivered classified tank data to a suspected Russian representative

During a meeting in July, Lee allegedly handed an SD card containing technical data and other information about Abrams tanks to someone he believed was a representative of the Russian government, in a scenario reminiscent of weapons trafficking thrillers that have captivated Netflix audiences. The exchange went beyond digital information, as Lee also allegedly discussed providing Russia with a piece of hardware from the tank itself. Last week, he appeared to deliver this hardware to a storage unit in El Paso, after which he messaged the person saying “Mission accomplished,” according to the Justice Department.

A warrant for Lee’s arrest was filed in El Paso federal court on Tuesday, and he made his initial court appearance on Wednesday following his arrest. A criminal complaint had not appeared to be filed in court as of Wednesday, and it remains unclear whether Lee has legal representation. Brigadier General Sean F. Stinchon, the commanding general of Army Counterintelligence Command, called the arrest an alarming reminder of the serious threat facing the U.S. Army.

The case highlights ongoing concerns about espionage and information security within the military. Chinese intelligence agents have recently attempted to target U.S. service members online, offering payment for sensitive information in what counterintelligence officials describe as virtual espionage. Other recent cases include former Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, who received a 15-year prison sentence last year for sharing classified documents about the Russia-Ukraine war on Discord, and a retired Army officer who pleaded guilty last month to sharing war-related information on a dating app while working as a civilian Air Force employee.