An investigation FBI and the Military Counterintelligence Command has resulted within the arrest of energetic serviceman Taylor Adam Lee, 22, of El Paso, Texas, on fees of ‘tried transmission of nationwide protection info to a international adversary, and tried export of managed technical information and not using a license.
From the DOJ website:
“In keeping with the legal criticism, the defendant sought to transmit delicate nationwide protection info to Russia relating to the operation of the M1A2 Abrams, our Nation’s primary battle tank,” stated Assistant Legal professional Basic for Nationwide Safety John A. Eisenberg. “The Nationwide Safety Division will proceed to work with our regulation enforcement and army companions to make sure that such severe transgressions are met with severe penalties.”
U.S. Legal professional Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas: “Our enemies, each international and home, must be conscious that we diligently examine and aggressively prosecute these instances. I recognize the investigative work by our companions within the FBI and the Military Counterintelligence Command, and I look ahead to persevering with our work with them as we proceed with the prosecution of this necessary case.”
Lee is charged with making an attempt to supply labeled army info on U.S. tank vulnerabilities to somebody he mistakenly believed to be a Russian intelligence officer.
The soldier is alleged to have finished this in trade for what he believed was going to be ‘Russian citizenship’.
Lee was stationed at Fort Bliss, and held a High Secret (TS) and Delicate Compartmented Data (SCI) safety clearance. Since Could 2025, Lee had been allegedly transmitting ‘export-controlled technical info’ on the M1A2 Abrams Tank.
He additionally supplied help to the Russian Federation, saying: ‘the USA isn’t proud of me for attempting to reveal their weaknesses’, and added, ‘At this level I’d even volunteer to help the Russian federation once I’m there in any means’.
In July, Lee had an in-person assembly with a faux Russian agent, the place the he allegedly handed an SD card to the person.
The cardboard contained ‘managed technical information’ that Lee didn’t have the authorization to supply.
Lee advised the faux spy that ‘the data on the SD card was delicate and sure labeled’.
Lastly, he endeavored to supply the Russian authorities with a ‘particular piece of {hardware}’ from the M1A2 Abrams tank.
“On July 31, 2025, Lee delivered what gave the impression to be the {hardware} to a storage unit in El Paso, Texas. After doing so, Lee despatched a message to the person he believed to be a consultant of the Russian authorities stating, ‘Mission completed’.”
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