An active-duty American soldier was arrested in El Paso, Texas, on Wednesday and charged with attempting to transmit national defence information to Russia’s Ministry of Defence, according to US officials.
Taylor Adam Lee, 22, who holds a Top Secret security clearance, allegedly tried to send technical information on the M1A2 Abrams Tank and offer assistance to the Russian Federation in June.
“The USA is not happy with me for trying to expose their weaknesses,” he said in June, according to officials. “At this point I’d even volunteer to assist the Russian federation when I’m there in any way.”
Federal officials said in a statement that Lee had been attempting to burnish his credentials with the US Army and send sensitive defence information to Russia since May. In July, Lee reportedly met in person with who he believed to be a representative of the Russian government, where he passed them an SD card.
The card contained documents and information on the M1A2 Abrams tank, an armoured combat vehicle used by the US military, according to Lee.
Several of the documents on the SD card contained controlled technical data that Lee did not have proper authorisation to provide, officials said.
“Other documents on the SD card were marked as Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and featured banner warnings and dissemination controls,” the Texas US Attorney’s Office said in a statement.
“Throughout the meeting, Lee stated that the information on the SD card was sensitive and likely classified.
“National security has long been one of the highest priorities of the Justice Department, and here in the Western District of Texas, we remain alert for those who wish to help our adversaries and harm the United States.
“Our enemies, both foreign and domestic, should be aware that we diligently investigate and aggressively prosecute these cases.”
The FBI’s Washington Field Office is investigating Lee’s case, the statement said, and is being assisted by the U. S Army Counterintelligence Command (ACIC) and the FBI El Paso Field Office.
“This arrest is an alarming reminder of the serious threat facing our U.S. Army,” said Brigadier General Sean F. Stinchon, commanding general of the ACIC.
“Thanks to the hard work of Army Counterintelligence Command Special Agents and our FBI partners, Soldiers who violate their oath and become insider threats will absolutely be caught and brought to justice, and we will continue to protect Army personnel and safeguard equipment.”