Korbein Schultz, a U.S. Army soldier and intelligence analyst, pleaded guilty today to all charges against him in the indictment returned by a federal grand jury in March 2024. The charges include conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defense information, exporting technical data related to defense articles without a license, conspiracy to export defense articles without a license, and bribery of a public official.
“The defendant abused his access to restricted government systems to sell sensitive military information to a person he knew to be a foreign national,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “By conspiring to transmit national defense information to a person living outside the United States, this defendant callously put our national security at risk to cash in on the trust our military placed in him. Today’s guilty plea is a stark reminder that those who would betray their sworn oath for personal gain will be identified and brought to justice.”
“This defendant sold national defense information to a foreign actor and conspired to corrupt other members of our military,” said U.S. Attorney Henry C. Leventis for the Middle District of Tennessee. “In doing so, he violated his training and his oath as a member of the armed services and he compromised our national security. Today’s guilty plea to all of the charges in the indictment ensures that he will be held fully accountable for his crimes.”
“The defendant has admitted guilt in a case that should send a strong message to any U.S. service members thinking about betraying their country,” said Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI’s National Security Branch. “The U.S. is governed by the rule of law and when persons placed in a position of trust violate that trust, the FBI and our partners will hold them accountable. Governments like China are aggressively targeting our military personnel and national security information and we will do everything in our power to ensure that information is safeguarded from hostile foreign governments.”
“This Soldier swore an oath to faithfully discharge his duties, including protecting national defense information. Not only did he fail in his sworn duty, but he placed personal gain above his duty to our country and disclosed information that could give advantage to a foreign nation, putting his fellow Soldiers in jeopardy,” said Brigadier General Rhett R. Cox, Commanding General of the Army Counterintelligence Command. “Army Counterintelligence Command, with our partners at the FBI, Department of Justice, and the greater intelligence community will ruthlessly pursue those who commit acts such as these. Let this case serve as a warning: if any member of the Army, past or present, is asked for classified or sensitive information, they should report it to appropriate authorities within 24 hours or be held fully accountable for their inaction.”
According to charging and plea documents, Schultz – an enlisted intelligence analyst holding Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearance – conspired with an individual living in Hong Kong suspected of being associated with the Chinese Government (Conspirator A). Schultz collected classified information and export-controlled technical data related to U.S. military weapons systems for Conspirator A in exchange for money.
During this conspiracy, Conspirator A directed Schultz on specific sensitive information needed related to missile defense and mobile artillery systems. Before arresting Schultz sent dozens of sensitive but unclassified U.S. military documents regarding various weapons systems and tactics including export-controlled technical data.
Items transmitted included:
1) Lessons learned from Ukraine/Russia war applicable for Taiwan's defense.
2) An operations order outlining unit deployment support for NATO operations.
3) Air Force Tactics documents relating HH-60 helicopter with export control warnings.
4) Manuals relating F-22A fighter aircraft operation containing export control warnings.
5) Manuals on Intercontinental Ballistic Missile system operation containing export control warnings.
6) Publications on U-2 reconnaissance aircraft modifications.
7) Documents countering unmanned aircraft systems tactics during large-scale combat operations.
8) Information on Chinese military tactics preparedness People's Liberation Army Rocket Force.
9) Details about rocket missile artillery weapons High Mobility Artillery Rocket System Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile system.
10) Military exercises involving forces Republic Korea Philippines
11) Data concerning US military satellites
Schultz received approximately $42k from Conspirator A.
Sentencing hearing scheduled Jan 23 2025 faces maximum penalty 10 years prison conspiracy obtain transmit national defense info; 20 years prison exporting technical data People’s Republic China without license; 20 years prison conspiracy violate Arms Export Control Act International Traffic Arms Regulations ITAR; 15 years prison bribery public official Federal district court judge determine sentence considering US Sentencing Guidelines statutory factors
FBI US Army Counterintelligence Command investigating case
Assistant US Attorney Josh Kurtzman Middle District Tennessee Trial Attorneys Adam Barry Christopher Cook National Security Division Counterintelligence Export Control Section prosecuting case
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