According to court documents, Lee, who holds a Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance, allegedly sought to share sensitive information about the M1A2 Abrams main battle tank with the Russian government. Between May and July 2025, he reportedly established contact with a person he believed to be a Russian intelligence officer and expressed his willingness to assist the Russian Federation.
In June 2025, Lee allegedly transmitted technical data online about the M1A2 Abrams, stating, “the USA is not happy with me for trying to expose their weaknesses,” and added, “At this point I’d even volunteer to assist the Russian federation when I’m there in any way.” He later met in person with the supposed Russian representative, during which he handed over an SD card containing detailed information on U.S. armoured vehicles and combat operations.
Many of the documents on the SD card included controlled technical data and were marked as Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), with clear dissemination restrictions. During the meeting, Lee is said to have acknowledged the sensitive and potentially classified nature of the material he was sharing.
Following the July meeting, Lee allegedly discussed obtaining a specific piece of hardware from the M1A2 Abrams tank for Russian officials. On 31 July, he delivered what he believed to be the hardware to a storage unit in El Paso and later messaged the contact, “Mission accomplished.”
“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,” said Roman Rozhavsky, Assistant Director of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division. “Today’s arrest is a message to anyone thinking about betraying the U.S. – especially service members who have sworn to protect our homeland.”
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg stated, “According to the criminal complaint, the defendant sought to transmit sensitive national defense information to Russia regarding the operation of the M1A2 Abrams, our Nation’s main battle tank.” He added, “The National Security Division will continue to work with our law enforcement and military partners to ensure that such serious transgressions are met with serious consequences.”
“National security has long been one of the highest priorities of the Justice Department, and here in the Western District of Texas, we remain alert for those who wish to help our adversaries and harm the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons. “Our enemies, both foreign and domestic, should be aware that we diligently investigate and aggressively prosecute these cases.”
Brigadier General Sean F. Stinchon, commanding general of Army Counterintelligence Command, said, “Thanks to the hard work of Army Counterintelligence Command Special Agents and our FBI partners, Soldiers who violate their oath and become insider threats will absolutely be caught and brought to justice.” He emphasised the need for vigilance within the military, urging, “If anyone on our Army Team sees suspicious activity, you must report it as soon as possible.”
Assistant Director in Charge Steven J. Jensen of the FBI’s Washington Field Office commented, “Lee allegedly violated his duty to protect the United States in favour of providing national defense information to the Russian government.” He added, “The FBI is steadfast in our commitment to protect U.S. national security and bring to justice those who seek to undermine it.”
The investigation is being led by the FBI’s Washington and El Paso Field Offices with assistance from the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Menno Goedman of the National Security Division and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathan Brown and Mallory Rasmussen of the Western District of Texas.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice.
