JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. (WDRB) — A former U.S. Air Force officer and pilot was arrested Wednesday in Jeffersonville for allegedly "training Chinese military pilots."
According to the Department of Justice, 65-year-old Gerald Eddie Brown Jr. was charged by criminal complaint for providing, and conspiring to provide, unauthorized defense services to Chinese military pilots in violation of the Arms Export Control Act.
"As an Air Force officer, Brown took an oath to defend our Nation against all enemies foreign and domestic. He allegedly broke that oath and betrayed the country, jeopardizing the safety of our servicemembers and allies," said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro in a news release. "We will hold Brown, and anyone conspiring against our Nation, accountable for their actions. The Department of Justice and my prosecutors are steadfast in our commitment to use every lawful tool available to keep American military expertise where it belongs – here in America."
Since 2023, Brown allegedly conspired with foreign nationals to provide combat aircraft training to pilots in the Chinese Air Force. He served for more than 24 years in the U.S. Air Force and retired as a major in 1996.
According to the DOJ, "Brown commanded sensitive units with responsibility for nuclear weapons delivery systems, led combat missions, and served as a fighter pilot instructor and simulator instructor on a variety of fighter and attack aircraft."
In August 2023, Brown allegedly used a co-conspirator to negotiate with a Chinese national who previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to hack into the computer networks of major U.S. defense contractors and to steal sensitive military and export-controlled data.
Brown allegedly traveled to China in December 2023 to begin training PRC military pilots. Officials said Brown spent three hours answering questions about the U.S. Air Force on his first day there.
He remained in China until traveling back to the United States this month.
"Retired U.S. Air Force Major Gerald Brown allegedly sold out his country to train Chinese pilots with his expertise in United States’ combat aircraft techniques. Brown’s alleged betrayal exposed sensitive military tactics, threatening the security of our nation, our armed forces, and our allies," said FBI New York Assistant Director in Charge James Barnacle in a news release. "May today’s arrest emphasize the FBI’s steadfast promise to defend the homeland against all foreign and domestic adversaries."
According to court documents, Brown was fired from UPS in 2017 after a complaint said he caused a physical altercation while in the cockpit of a UPS aircraft mid-flight. Then, the Federal Aviation Administration revoked his pilot's license.
Brown worked for the Delaware Resource Group from 2020 to April 2022 when he was fired after hostile work environment and sexual harassment allegations. A month later, Brown started working with Lockheed Martin, a defense contractor in Louisville, who eventually fired him as well.
Court documents noted Brown discussed his work for the Chinese military with others and lied to U.S. Customs and Border Protection about why he was traveling to China.
Brown went before a magistrate judge in the Southern District of Indiana Thursday morning in New Albany. His case was transferred to Washington, D.C. and will continue to be incarcerated until a detention hearing is set.
In court Thursday, Brown's lawyer argued his client isn't a flight risk or a danger to the community, but, in the federal system, bail isn't guaranteed.
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