Texas soldier arrested for sharing M1A2 Abrams tank data with Russia

A soldier within the US Military in Texas with a prime security authorization has been accused of handing over delicate details about crucial impression tank of the military in trade for Russian citizenship.

Taylor Adam Lee, 22, was arrested on Wednesday for accusation of tried switch of nationwide protection info to a overseas opponent and try and export managed technical information and not using a license.

“This arrest is an alarming reminiscence of the intense risk to our US Military,” stated Brigadier Common Sean F. Stinchon, the command -general command common of the military.

Former CIA analyst teaches destiny after he has argued for leaking extremely categorized info

The idea of the US Military Fort Bliss is in El Paso, Texas, USA, on Tuesday 12 February 2019. (Adria Malcolm/Bloomberg through Getty photographs)

Federal public prosecutors stated Lee tried to switch info to somebody he thought he was a Russian intelligence officer in trade for Russian citizenship.

Lee was stationed in Fort Bliss in El Paso, the place he had a prime secret (TS) / Delicate Compartmented Info (SCI) safety freedom, the Ministry of Justice stated.

In June he would have transferred details about the M1A2 Abrams -Tank on-line and supplied help to Russia, which says: “The US shouldn’t be pleased with me as a result of I attempt to expose their weaknesses.”

“At this level I might even register voluntarily to assist the Russian Federation if I’m there in any approach,” he stated.

Throughout a gathering of July between Lee and somebody he thought it was a consultant of the Russian authorities, Lee is claimed to have handed on an SD card, which contained paperwork and details about the Abrams Battle Tank, one other armored combating car utilized by the US Military and fight operations, stated officers of Justice.

Authorities’s worker retained after trying to share categorized info with overseas

The doorway of Fort Bliss and an M1A2 Abrams tank. A soldier on the foundation is accused of showing delicate information from the Battle Tank to somebody he thought he was working for the Russian authorities. (Getty Photos)

Varied paperwork comprise technical information that Lee was not approved, stated public prosecutors.

Different paperwork on the SD card had been marked as a managed non -classified info (CUI) and comprise banner warnings and distribution controls. Through the assembly, Lee is claimed to have stated that the data on the SD card was delicate and possibly categorized.

Lee additionally mentioned acquiring and offering a selected piece of {hardware} within the M1A2 Abrams tank to the Russian authorities, the authorities stated. On July 31, he delivered what the {hardware} gave the impression to be for a storage unit in El Paso.

He then despatched a message to the individual he thought it was a consultant of the Russian authorities wherein said: “Mission accomplished.”

Fox Information Digital has contacted the military.

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“Right this moment’s arrest is a message to everybody who thinks about betraying the US -especially service members who sworn to guard our house nation,” stated assistant director Roman RozhavSky of the counter -intelligence division of the FBI. “The FBI and our companions will do all the pieces in our energy to guard Individuals and defend categorized info.”

Lee’s arrest got here on the identical day {that a} soldier shot 5 different troopers in Fort Stewart, Georgia. Sgt. Quornelius Radford, 28, shot 5 troopers within the 2nd armored Brigade Fight Staff (ABCT) space of the set up, the authorities stated.

All troopers had been handled on the spot after which transported to the Winn Military Group Hospital, in accordance with officers of Fort Stewart. Radford, which has been arrested, serves as a Automated logistics sergeant assigned to the ABCT.

Greg Wehner of FOX Information Digital has contributed to this report.