The Justice Department announced Wednesday that a former United States Air Force pilot has been arrested and charged with providing and conspiring to provide defense services to Chinese military pilots without authorization.

Gerald Eddie Brown Jr., who is 65-years-old, was arrested in Indiana Wednesday after he allegedly knowingly conspired with foreign nationals and U.S. persons to provide combat aircraft training to pilots in the Chinese Air Force.

Brown left active duty in the Air Force in 1996 as a Major, according to the Justice Department press release. During his career in the Air Force, he 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.

“As an Air Force Officer, Brown took an oath to defend our Nation against all enemies, foreign and domestic," U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro for the District of Columbia said in a statement. "He broke that oath and betrayed the country, jeopardizing the safety of our servicemembers and allies. 

“We will hold Brown, and anyone conspiring against our Nation, accountable for their actions," she continued. "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.”

The criminal complaint accuses Brown of conspiring to train Chinese military pilots since August 2023, in violation of the Arms Export Control Act. He traveled to China in December 2023, and returned earlier this month, according to the DOJ.

Brown is expected to make his first court appearance in front of a Magistrate Judge in the Southern District of Indiana on Thursday.