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Epoch Times
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Former US Army Officer Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison for Selling Sensitive Military Information
A former U.S. Army intelligence officer who had top secret security clearance was sentenced to seven years in prison on April 23 for conspiring to collect and sell national defense information to an individual he believed was affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Korbein Schultz, 25, was 'fully aware of the grave national security implications' when he used his position and access to restricted databases to download and transmit at least 92 sensitive U.S. military documents, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Tennessee Schultz, of Wills Point, Texas, pleaded guilty in August 2024 to multiple charges, including conspiring to collect and transmit national defense information, unlawfully exporting controlled information to China, and accepting bribes in exchange for sensitive, non-public U.S. government information. 'This defendant swore an oath to defend the United States — instead, he betrayed it for a payout and put America's military and service members at risk,' Attorney General Pam Bondi said. 'The Justice Department remains vigilant against China's efforts to target our military and will ensure that those who leak military secrets spend years behind bars.' According to Many of the documents he had access to in his role were labeled with warnings that they held technical data that was subject to export controls, court documents state. Related Stories 4/24/2025 4/23/2025 Prosecutors said that between May 2022 and his arrest in March 2024, Schultz provided dozens of sensitive documents and data related to U.S. military capabilities to an unnamed Chinese national residing in Hong Kong. Despite 'clear indications' that the individual was likely connected to the Chinese regime, Schultz continued to hand over the documents and data in exchange for approximately $42,000, according to officials. Among the documents Schultz gave the individual were those regarding his Army unit's operational order before it was deployed to Eastern Europe in support of NATO operations; lessons learned by the U.S. Army from the ongoing Russia–Ukraine conflict that were applicable to Taiwan's defense; technical manuals for the HH-60 helicopter, F-22A fighter aircraft, and Intercontinental Ballistic Missile systems; and information on Chinese military tactics and the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force. Additionally, Schultz handed documents containing details on U.S. military exercises in the Republic of Korea and the Philippines, U.S. military satellites and missile defense systems such as the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), and tactics for countering unmanned aerial systems in large-scale combat operations. The unnamed individual initially contacted Schultz through a freelance web-based work platform shortly after he received his high-level security clearance, prosecutors said. The individual posed as a client from a geopolitical consulting firm and sought to get Schultz to provide 'detailed analyses on U.S. military capabilities and planning,' particularly as they pertain to Taiwan and the Russia–Ukraine war. Over time, the unnamed person began demanding increasingly more specific and sensitive information from Schultz, including technical manuals, operational procedures, and intelligence assessments, and was particularly eager to have documents that weren't publicly available, prosecutors said. Schultz agreed to obtain the highly classified documents and even attempted to recruit a friend and fellow Army intelligence analyst into the conspiracy, who at the time was assigned to the U.S. Department of Defense's Indo-Pacific Command, according to prosecutors. 'This sentencing is a stark warning to those who betray our country: you will pay a steep price for it,' said FBI Director Kash Patel. 'The People's Republic of China is relentless in its efforts to steal our national defense information, and service members are a prime target.' The Epoch Times has contacted an attorney for Schultz for comment.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Fort Campbell soldier who pleaded guilty to selling secrets to China sentenced to 7 years
The Fort Campbell soldier who pleaded guilty to selling military information to people tied to the Chinese government was sentenced April 23 to seven years in federal prison. Korbein Schultz, 25, of Wills Port, Texas, pleaded guilty in August 2024 to conspiracy to collect and transmit national defense information, unlawfully exporting controlled information to China and accepting bribes in exchange of sensitive, non-public U.S. government information. More: Fort Campbell soldier pleads guilty to selling info to China, including about Taiwan "This defendant swore an oath to defend the United States — instead, he betrayed it for a payout and put America's military and service members at risk,' Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a news release. 'The Justice Department remains vigilant against China's efforts to target our military and will ensure that those who leak military secrets spend years behind bars." Court documents showed Schultz engaged in an ongoing conspiracy to provide dozens of sensitive U.S. military documents, many containing export-controlled tactical and technical information, directly to a foreign national living in the People's Republic of China between May 2022 until his arrest in March 2024. The U.S. attorneys office said in a release that the person, referred to in documents as Conspirator A, was "likely" connected to the Chinese government and continued a relationship with Schultz for about $42,000 in exchange for Schultz providing documents and data related to U.S. military capabilities, including: His Army unit's operational order before it was deployed to Eastern Europe in support of NATO operations; Lessons learned by the U.S. Army from the Ukraine/Russia conflict applicable to Taiwan's defense; Technical manuals for the HH-60 helicopter, F-22A fighter aircraft and Intercontinental Ballistic Missile systems; Information on Chinese military tactics and the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force; Details on U.S. military exercises in the Republic of Korea and the Philippines; Documents concerning U.S. military satellites and missile defense systems like the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD). Tactics for countering unmanned aerial systems in large-scale combat operations. As the relationship progressed, Conspirator A's demands grew increasingly specific and sensitive, requesting technical manuals, operational procedures and intelligence assessments, the release said. Conspirator A made explicit his interest in materials that were not publicly available and encouraged the defendant to seek out higher levels of classification. Schultz agreed to obtain higher levels of classified information for Conspirator A in exchange for money. The attorney's office said Schultz was fully aware of the national security implications but used his position and access to restricted databases — including closed U.S. government computer networks — to download and transmit at least 92 sensitive U.S. military documents. The case also revealed attempts by Schultz to recruit a friend and fellow Army intelligence analyst into the conspiracy. At the time, Schultz's friend was assigned to the U.S. Department of Defense's Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), which is the combatant command that covers China and its regional areas of influence. Schultz and Conspirator A discussed the need to recruit another person into their scheme who had better access to classified material. They agreed that the recruitment needed to be done in a 'nice and slow fashion,' documents show. "This sentencing is a stark warning to those who betray our country: you will pay a steep price for it,' FBI Director Kash Patel said in the release. 'The People's Republic of China is relentless in its efforts to steal our national defense information, and service members are a prime target. The FBI and our partners will continue to root out espionage and hold those accountable who abandon their obligation to safeguard defense information from hostile foreign governments.' The FBI's Nashville Field Office investigated the case, with the assistance from the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command and the Department of Defense. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Ex-Tennessee soldier sentenced for selling military secrets to China
New York Post
24-04-2025
- New York Post
Former US Army intelligence analyst sentenced for selling sensitive documents to Chinese national
A former US Army intelligence analyst was sentenced to seven years in prison on Wednesday for giving sensitive military information to a person he believed was affiliated with the Chinese government. Korbein Schultz, 25, of Wills Point, Texas, pleaded guilty in August 2024 to conspiring to collect and transmit national defense information, unlawfully exporting controlled information to China, and accepting bribes in exchange for sensitive, non-public US government information. Advertisement From May 2022 until his arrest in March 2024, Schultz engaged in an ongoing conspiracy to provide dozens of sensitive US military documents — many of which contained export-controlled tactical and technical information — directly to a foreign national living in the People's Republic of China, according to court documents. Despite 'clear indications' the person he was giving the information to was likely connected to the Chinese government, Schultz continued the relationship in exchange for about $42,000, according to officials. Schultz pleaded guilty to giving the person in China his Army unit's operational order before it was deployed to Eastern Europe in support of NATO operations; lessons learned by the US Army from the Ukraine and Russia conflict, applicable to Taiwan's defense; technical manuals for the HH-60 helicopter, F-22A fighter aircraft, and Intercontinental Ballistic Missile systems; information on Chinese military tactics and the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force; and details on US military exercises in the Republic of Korea and the Philippines. 4 Korbein Schultz pleaded guilty to conspiring to collect and transmit national defense information, unlawfully exporting controlled information to China, and accepting bribes in exchange for sensitive, non-public US government information. Sgt. Ryan Rayno, 181st Multifunctional Training Brigade Advertisement He also provided documents concerning US military satellites and missile defense systems like the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, and tactics for countering unmanned aerial systems in large-scale combat operations. The person Schultz gave information to in China first contacted him through a freelance web-based work platform shortly after Schultz received his Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information clearance, according to court documents. They allegedly posed as a client from a geopolitical consulting firm, soliciting Schultz to provide detailed analyses on US military capabilities and planning, particularly in relation to Taiwan and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. 4 Tanks from the People's Liberation Army roll through Tiananmen Square during a parade marking the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on Oct. 1, 2009. REUTERS Advertisement As the relationship progressed, the Chinese national's demands grew increasingly specific and sensitive — requesting technical manuals, operational procedures and intelligence assessments. The conspirator made it clear that he was interested in receiving materials that were not publicly available and encouraged Schultz to seek out higher levels of classification, emphasizing 'exclusiveness' and 'CUI and better,' according to court documents. Schultz agreed to send higher levels of classified information to the Chinese man in exchange for money. 4 Chinese flags on display at the Yangshan Port outside Shanghai, China on Feb. 7, 2025. REUTERS Advertisement Fully aware of the national security implications, Schultz accessed restricted databases, including closed US government computer networks, to download and transmit at least 92 sensitive US military documents, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ). He also attempted to recruit his friend, a fellow Army intelligence analyst, into the conspiracy. At the time, Schultz's friend was assigned to the US Department of Defense's Indo-Pacific Command, the combatant command that covers China and its regional areas of influence. Schultz and the Chinese conspirator talked about needing to recruit another person who had better access to classified material, agreeing to do so in a 'nice and slow fashion,' according to court documents. 4 A US and Chinese flags are stitched together in an illustration on Jan. 8 2025. REUTERS Attorney General Pamela Bondi said Schultz betrayed his oath to defend the US, putting America's military and service members at risk. 'The Justice Department remains vigilant against China's efforts to target our military and will ensure that those who leak military secrets spend years behind bars,' Bondi wrote in a statement provided by the DOJ. Advertisement Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) director Kash Patel added service members are a 'prime target' for the People's Republic of China. 'This sentencing is a stark warning to those who betray our country: you will pay a steep price for it,' Patel wrote in a statement. 'The People's Republic of China is relentless in its efforts to steal our national defense information, and service members are a prime target. The FBI and our partners will continue to root out espionage and hold those accountable who abandon their obligation to safeguard defense information from hostile foreign governments.'
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Yahoo
Former US Army intelligence analyst sentenced for selling sensitive documents to Chinese national
A former U.S. Army intelligence analyst was sentenced to seven years in prison on Wednesday for giving sensitive military information to a person he believed was affiliated with the Chinese government. Korbein Schultz, 25, of Wills Point, Texas, pleaded guilty in August 2024 to conspiring to collect and transmit national defense information, unlawfully exporting controlled information to China, and accepting bribes in exchange for sensitive, non-public U.S. government information. From May 2022 until his arrest in March 2024, Schultz engaged in an ongoing conspiracy to provide dozens of sensitive U.S. military documents — many of which contained export-controlled tactical and technical information — directly to a foreign national living in the People's Republic of China, according to court documents. Despite "clear indications" the person he was giving the information to was likely connected to the Chinese government, Schultz continued the relationship in exchange for about $42,000, according to officials. Retired Army Captain Dedicates His Medal Of Honor Award To Fellow Soldiers In Afghanistan Schultz pleaded guilty to giving the person in China his Army unit's operational order before it was deployed to Eastern Europe in support of NATO operations; lessons learned by the U.S. Army from the Ukraine and Russia conflict, applicable to Taiwan's defense; technical manuals for the HH-60 helicopter, F-22A fighter aircraft, and Intercontinental Ballistic Missile systems; information on Chinese military tactics and the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force; and details on U.S. military exercises in the Republic of Korea and the Philippines. Read On The Fox News App He also provided documents concerning U.S. military satellites and missile defense systems like the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, and tactics for countering unmanned aerial systems in large-scale combat operations. The person Schultz gave information to in China first contacted him through a freelance web-based work platform shortly after Schultz received his Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information clearance, according to court documents. They allegedly posed as a client from a geopolitical consulting firm, soliciting Schultz to provide detailed analyses on U.S. military capabilities and planning, particularly in relation to Taiwan and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll To Lead Atf, Replacing Fbi Director Kash Patel As the relationship progressed, the Chinese national's demands grew increasingly specific and sensitive — requesting technical manuals, operational procedures and intelligence assessments. The conspirator made it clear that he was interested in receiving materials that were not publicly available and encouraged Schultz to seek out higher levels of classification, emphasizing "exclusiveness" and "CUI and better," according to court documents. Schultz agreed to send higher levels of classified information to the Chinese man in exchange for money. Fully aware of the national security implications, Schultz accessed restricted databases, including closed U.S. government computer networks, to download and transmit at least 92 sensitive U.S. military documents, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ). New Army Secretary Praises Trump, Hegseth For Creating 'A Lane For Change' As He Zeroes In On Cutting Waste He also attempted to recruit his friend, a fellow Army intelligence analyst, into the conspiracy. At the time, Schultz's friend was assigned to the U.S. Department of Defense's Indo-Pacific Command, the combatant command that covers China and its regional areas of influence. Schultz and the Chinese conspirator talked about needing to recruit another person who had better access to classified material, agreeing to do so in a "nice and slow fashion," according to court documents. Attorney General Pamela Bondi said Schultz betrayed his oath to defend the U.S., putting America's military and service members at risk. "The Justice Department remains vigilant against China's efforts to target our military and will ensure that those who leak military secrets spend years behind bars," Bondi wrote in a statement provided by the DOJ. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) director Kash Patel added service members are a "prime target" for the People's Republic of China. "This sentencing is a stark warning to those who betray our country: you will pay a steep price for it," Patel wrote in a statement. "The People's Republic of China is relentless in its efforts to steal our national defense information, and service members are a prime target. The FBI and our partners will continue to root out espionage and hold those accountable who abandon their obligation to safeguard defense information from hostile foreign governments."Original article source: Former US Army intelligence analyst sentenced for selling sensitive documents to Chinese national
Fox News
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Former US Army intelligence analyst sentenced for selling sensitive documents to Chinese national
A former U.S. Army intelligence analyst was sentenced to seven years in prison on Wednesday for giving sensitive military information to a person he believed was affiliated with the Chinese government. Korbein Schultz, 25, of Wills Point, Texas, pleaded guilty in August 2024 to conspiring to collect and transmit national defense information, unlawfully exporting controlled information to China, and accepting bribes in exchange for sensitive, non-public U.S. government information. From May 2022 until his arrest in March 2024, Schultz engaged in an ongoing conspiracy to provide dozens of sensitive U.S. military documents — many of which contained export-controlled tactical and technical information — directly to a foreign national living in the People's Republic of China, according to court documents. Despite "clear indications" the person he was giving the information to was likely connected to the Chinese government, Schultz continued the relationship in exchange for about $42,000, according to officials. Schultz pleaded guilty to giving the person in China his Army unit's operational order before it was deployed to Eastern Europe in support of NATO operations; lessons learned by the U.S. Army from the Ukraine and Russia conflict, applicable to Taiwan's defense; technical manuals for the HH-60 helicopter, F-22A fighter aircraft, and Intercontinental Ballistic Missile systems; information on Chinese military tactics and the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force; and details on U.S. military exercises in the Republic of Korea and the Philippines. He also provided documents concerning U.S. military satellites and missile defense systems like the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, and tactics for countering unmanned aerial systems in large-scale combat operations. The person Schultz gave information to in China first contacted him through a freelance web-based work platform shortly after Schultz received his Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information clearance, according to court documents. They allegedly posed as a client from a geopolitical consulting firm, soliciting Schultz to provide detailed analyses on U.S. military capabilities and planning, particularly in relation to Taiwan and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. As the relationship progressed, the Chinese national's demands grew increasingly specific and sensitive — requesting technical manuals, operational procedures and intelligence assessments. The conspirator made it clear that he was interested in receiving materials that were not publicly available and encouraged Schultz to seek out higher levels of classification, emphasizing "exclusiveness" and "CUI and better," according to court documents. Schultz agreed to send higher levels of classified information to the Chinese man in exchange for money. Fully aware of the national security implications, Schultz accessed restricted databases, including closed U.S. government computer networks, to download and transmit at least 92 sensitive U.S. military documents, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ). He also attempted to recruit his friend, a fellow Army intelligence analyst, into the conspiracy. At the time, Schultz's friend was assigned to the U.S. Department of Defense's Indo-Pacific Command, the combatant command that covers China and its regional areas of influence. Schultz and the Chinese conspirator talked about needing to recruit another person who had better access to classified material, agreeing to do so in a "nice and slow fashion," according to court documents. Attorney General Pamela Bondi said Schultz betrayed his oath to defend the U.S., putting America's military and service members at risk. "The Justice Department remains vigilant against China's efforts to target our military and will ensure that those who leak military secrets spend years behind bars," Bondi wrote in a statement provided by the DOJ. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) director Kash Patel added service members are a "prime target" for the People's Republic of China. "This sentencing is a stark warning to those who betray our country: you will pay a steep price for it," Patel wrote in a statement. "The People's Republic of China is relentless in its efforts to steal our national defense information, and service members are a prime target. The FBI and our partners will continue to root out espionage and hold those accountable who abandon their obligation to safeguard defense information from hostile foreign governments."
