Judge finds probable cause in Fort Bliss soldier espionage case, Grand Jury will hear from prosecution

Update: United States Magistrate Judge Laura Enriquez ruled there was sufficient evidence for Fort Bliss soldier Taylor Adam Lee's case to go before a grand jury.

Federal prosecutors allege Lee attempted to provide national defense information and “controlled technical data” without a license to an individual he believed was affiliated with the Russian government.

The individual was actually an undercover FBI Agent

During the hearing, defense attorney Felix Valenzuela argued that the documents Lee shared were not classified, presenting 17 examples of similar information posted to public online platforms, such as military equipment manuals.

However, Attorney Nathan Brown, representing the United States, countered that the case focuses on Lee’s intent to share the information.

Brown argued that Lee’s willingness to share sensitive information with someone he thought represented a foreign government is what constitutes the crime.

For a second day, attorneys questioned FBI Special Agent Nicholas Napoli about the investigation that led to Lee’s arrest.

Valenzuela emphasized that no foreign government ever received the information, but prosecutors maintained that the attempt alone is criminal under federal law.

With the probable cause finding, the case now heads to a federal grand jury.

Lee and his attorney will not attend those proceedings.

The panel could take anywhere from several weeks to 18 months to determine whether to indict.

If an indictment is issued, the case would move to a criminal trial before a district judge.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- After Monday's preliminary hearing was adjourned just before noon, 22-year-old active-duty Fort Bliss soldier Taylor Adam Lee will return to the U.S. Western District of Texas Courthouse Tuesday morning.

Lee's defense attorney briefly cross-examined FBI special agent Nicholas Napoli at the end of Monday's hearing after he was called to the stand by the prosecution.

After a few questions from the defense, attorneys from both sides spoke with Judge Laura Enriquez at the front of the courtroom, and Judge Enriquez announced that the hearing would adjourn and resume Tuesday morning.

Lee is facing federal criminal charges for the attempted transmission of national defense information to a person Lee thought was a Russian Ministry of Defense representative.

Lee is also charged with attempted export of controlled technical data without a license. He holds a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information security clearance.

Federal prosecutors say that from May 2025 to now, "Lee sought to establish his U.S. Army credentials and send U.S. defense information to Russia’s Ministry of Defense." In June 2025, Lee allegedly sent information on the M1A2 Abrams Tank and offered help to the Russian Federation.

Stay tuned to KVIA on air and online for updates on today's hearing.