Texas soldier with top security clearance charged with attempting to pass sensitive tank data to Russia: DOJ
Taylor Adam Lee allegedly offered sensitive M1A2 Abrams information in exchange for Russian citizenship
By Louis Casiano Fox News
Published August 6, 2025 6:25pm EDT
A U.S. Army soldier in Texas with a top security clearance has been charged with handing over sensitive information about the military's main battle tank in exchange for Russian citizenship.
Taylor Adam Lee, 22, was arrested Wednesday on charges of attempted transmission of national defense information to a foreign adversary and attempted export of controlled technical data without a license.
"This arrest is an alarming reminder of the serious threat facing our U.S. Army," said Brigadier General Sean F. Stinchon, the commanding general of Army Counterintelligence Command.
Federal prosecutors said Lee attempted to hand over information to someone he believed to be a Russian intelligence officer in exchange for Russian citizenship.
Lee was stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso where he held a Top Secret (TS) / Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) security clearance, the Justice Department said.
In June, he allegedly transmitted information regarding the M1A2 Abrams tank online and offered assistance to Russia, 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," he allegedly said.
During a July meeting between Lee and someone he believed to be a representative of the Russian government, Lee allegedly passed an SD card, which contained documents and information on the Abrams battle tank, another armored fighting vehicle used by the U.S. military, and combat operations, prosecutors said.
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https://www.foxnews.com/us/texas-soldier-top-security-clearance-charged-attempting-pass-sensitive-tank-data-russia-doj
