Active-Duty Soldier Arrested for Espionage and Export Violations
Introduction to the Case
An active-duty soldier at Fort Bliss in El Paso was arrested Wednesday and faces charges of espionage and export violations.
Taylor Adam Lee, 22, who held a top secret/sensitive compartmented information security clearance, is accused of attempted transmission of national defense information to a foreign adversary and attempted export of controlled technical data without a license.
Details of the Investigation
“The FBI’s investigation revealed Taylor Lee allegedly attempted to provide classified military information on U.S. tank vulnerabilities to a person he believed to be a Russian intelligence officer in exchange for Russian citizenship,” Roman Rozhavsky, assistant director of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division, said in a prepared statement.
According to a news release, Lee allegedly sought to share U.S. defense information with Russia’s Ministry of Defense. In June, Lee allegedly shared technical information on the “Nation’s main battle tank,” the M1A2 Abrams Tank.
Sharing Classified Information
Then, last month, Lee allegedly shared an SD card with a representative he believed was a part of the Russian government. The SD card contained documents of the M1A2 Abrams, another armored vehicle and combat operations.
Lee wanted to provide the Russian government with a specific piece of hardware from the M1A2 Abrams tank, the release said, and on July 31, Lee delivered what he thought was the hardware from the tank to an El Paso storage unit.
Legal Consequences
Lee’s attorneys did not return an email for comment to The Dallas Morning News.
Lee is being held without bond, and will make his next appearance in court on Aug. 11.
Investigation and Assistance
The case is being investigated by FBI Washington, El Paso Field Offices, with assistance from the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command.
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Conclusion
The arrest of Taylor Adam Lee highlights the importance of protecting national defense information and the severity of consequences for those who attempt to compromise it. The case is a reminder of the ongoing efforts of foreign adversaries to obtain sensitive information and the need for vigilance in preventing such attempts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the charges against Taylor Adam Lee?
A: Taylor Adam Lee is charged with attempted transmission of national defense information to a foreign adversary and attempted export of controlled technical data without a license.
Q: What information did Lee allegedly attempt to share with the Russian government?
A: Lee allegedly attempted to share technical information on the M1A2 Abrams Tank, as well as documents on another armored vehicle and combat operations.
Q: What is the current status of Lee’s case?
A: Lee is being held without bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 11.
Q: Who is investigating the case?
A: The case is being investigated by FBI Washington, El Paso Field Offices, with assistance from the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command.
