A 22-year-old U.S. Army soldier stationed at Fort Bliss was arrested Wednesday on espionage charges for allegedly attempting to transmit classified information to Russia’s Ministry of Defense, the Justice Department announced.
Taylor Adam Lee, who holds a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information security clearance, faces charges of attempted transmission of national defense information to a foreign adversary and attempted export of controlled technical data without a license. From May 2025 until his arrest, Lee sought to share sensitive U.S. defense information, according to court documents.
In June, Lee allegedly sent export-controlled technical data on the M1A2 Abrams tank online, stating, “The USA is not happy with me for trying to expose their weaknesses. At this point I’d even volunteer to assist the Russian federation when I’m there in any way.”
In July, during a meeting with an individual he believed to be a Russian government representative, Lee handed over an SD card containing documents on the M1A2 Abrams, another armored vehicle, and combat operations. Several documents were marked Controlled Unclassified Information with dissemination controls, and others contained unauthorized technical data. Lee acknowledged the information was sensitive and likely classified.
On July 31, Lee delivered what appeared to be M1A2 Abrams tank hardware to a storage unit in El Paso, messaging the supposed Russian representative, “Mission accomplished.”
“Lee allegedly violated his duty to protect the United States in favor of providing national defense information to the Russian government,” said Steven J. Jensen, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office. “The FBI is steadfast in our commitment to protect U.S. national security and bring to justice those who seek to undermine it.”
Brigadier General Sean F. Stinchon, commanding general of Army Counterintelligence Command, called the arrest “an alarming reminder of the serious threat facing our U.S. Army,” adding, “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.”
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg stated, “According to the criminal complaint, the defendant sought to transmit sensitive national defense information to Russia regarding the operation of the M1A2 Abrams, our Nation’s main battle tank. The National Security Division will continue to work with our law enforcement and military partners to ensure that such serious transgressions are met with serious consequences.”
U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas emphasized, “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.”
The FBI’s Washington and El Paso Field Offices, with support from the Army Counterintelligence Command, are investigating. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Menno Goedman of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathan Brown and Mallory Rasmussen for the Western District of Texas.