Key Takeaways:
- Alleged Espionage Plot: Prosecutors say 22-year-old Fort Bliss soldier Taylor Adam Lee attempted to pass sensitive M1A2 Abrams tank data to someone he believed was a Russian intelligence officer.
- Undercover Sting Operation: The FBI and Army Counterintelligence say Lee delivered an SD card of controlled technical data—and even tank hardware—during meetings with an undercover agent posing as a Russian operative.
- National Security Warning: DOJ officials called the arrest a stark reminder that insider threats will be caught and prosecuted, reinforcing President Trump’s America First commitment to protecting U.S. military secrets.
A 22-year-old U.S. Army soldier from El Paso is facing the full weight of federal prosecution after allegedly trying to pass America’s military crown jewels—the vulnerabilities of our M1A2 Abrams battle tank—straight into Russian hands.
According to the Justice Department, Taylor Adam Lee—an active-duty service member with Top Secret clearance—spent months attempting to ingratiate himself with what he believed were Russian intelligence contacts. Prosecutors say Lee sent export-controlled technical data online, offered “to assist the Russian Federation in any way,” and even bragged that “the USA is not happy with me for trying to expose their weaknesses.”
The FBI and Army Counterintelligence Command allege that in July, Lee handed over an SD card packed with sensitive tank data during an in-person meeting with an undercover agent posing as a Russian operative. The trove allegedly included controlled technical data, combat operations documents, and hardware schematics—all without authorization. Court documents say Lee later delivered a piece of Abrams tank hardware to a storage unit, messaging his contact: “Mission accomplished.”
“Our enemies, both foreign and domestic, should be aware that we diligently investigate and aggressively prosecute these cases,” declared U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons. The FBI echoed the warning, calling the arrest “a message to anyone thinking about betraying the U.S.—especially service members who have sworn to protect our homeland.”
Under President Trump, national security has returned to front-and-center, and cases like this underscore why. Selling out America’s defenses isn’t just treasonous—it’s an assault on every soldier who’s ever worn the uniform and every taxpayer who funds our military.
If convicted, Lee faces a lifetime reminder that betraying the greatest nation on Earth carries the ultimate cost. America First means securing our secrets—and sending a clear message: you turn on your country, your country will turn you in.