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By Jenna Sundel and Gabe Whisnant
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An active-duty soldier stationed at Fort Bliss was arrested Wednesday in El Paso on charges of attempting to transmit national defense information to Russia and unlawfully exporting military technical data.
According to federal prosecutors, 22-year-old Taylor Adam Lee tried to share sensitive information about the U.S. Army's M1A2 Abrams tank with someone he believed represented the Russian government.
He is accused of passing an SD card filled with controlled technical data that he did not have the authorization to provide at a July in-person meeting.
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Why It Matters
Brigadier General Sean F. Stinchon, the commanding general of Army Counterintelligence Command, said Lee's arrest is "an alarming reminder of the serious threat facing our U.S. Army."
"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," Stinchon said in a statement.
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What To Know
Lee held a Top Secret (TS) / Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) security clearance. Federal prosecutors allege that, beginning in May, Lee sought to establish his U.S. Army credentials and send U.S. defense information to Russia's Ministry of Defense.
Lee allegedly stated, "the USA is not happy with me for trying to expose their weaknesses," and "At this point I'd even volunteer to assist the Russian federation when I'm there in any way."
Prosecutors said Lee provided a detailed overview of documents and information on the M1A2 Abrams, an armored fighting vehicle used by the U.S. military and combat operations.
On July 31, Lee allegedly delivered what appeared to be a specific piece of hardware from inside the tank to a storage unit in El Paso. Lee then sent a text message reading, "Mission accomplished," to someone he believed was a representative of the Russian government.
Lee was arrested Wednesday and made his initial court appearance the same day.
What People Are Saying
Steven J. Jensen, assistant director in charge at the FBI Washington Field Office, in a statement: "Lee allegedly violated his duty to protect the United States in favor of providing national defense information to the Russian government. The FBI is steadfast in our commitment to protect U.S. national security and bring to justice those who seek to undermine it."
U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas, in a statement: "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."
Acting Special Agent in Charge Britton Boyd at the FBI El Paso Field Office: "The men and women of the United States military work hard to defend American citizens at home and abroad. Today the men and women of the FBI were able to help protect our brave soldiers from future threats with the arrest of Taylor Adam Lee."
What Happens Next
The FBI Washington Field Office is investigating the case with assistance from the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command and the FBI El Paso Field Office.
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Update 8/6/25, 6 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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