National News: Former U.S. Army intelligence analyst sentenced to seven years in prison or information leaks

WASHINGTON — A former U.S. Army intelligence analyst was sentenced to seven years in prison for conspiring to transmit sensitive U.S. military information to an individual he believed was linked to the Chinese government, the Justice Department announced Tuesday.

Korbein Schultz, 25, of Wills Point, Texas, pleaded guilty in August 2024 to charges of conspiring to collect and share national defense information, illegally exporting controlled data to China, and accepting bribes for classified U.S. military documents.

Schultz, who held Top Secret clearance, provided dozens of sensitive documents between May 2022 and his arrest in March 2024, receiving approximately $42,000 in payments.

“Schultz swore to protect this nation but instead endangered our military and service members for personal gain,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “The Justice Department will relentlessly counter China’s efforts to steal our secrets and hold traitors accountable.”

The leaked documents included operational plans for Schultz’s Army unit in Eastern Europe, U.S. military lessons from the Ukraine-Russia conflict, technical manuals for advanced weaponry like the F-22A fighter jet and HIMARS rocket system, and details on U.S. military exercises in South Korea and the Philippines.

Schultz accessed these materials through restricted government networks and shared them with a foreign national, referred to as Conspirator A, who posed as a geopolitical consultant but was likely affiliated with the Chinese government.

“This sentencing sends a clear message: betraying our country comes with severe consequences,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “China’s aggressive pursuit of our defense secrets will be met with unwavering resolve to protect our national security.”

Schultz was initially contacted by Conspirator A through a freelance platform, where he was tasked with analyzing U.S. military capabilities, particularly regarding Taiwan and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Over time, Conspirator A requested increasingly sensitive, non-public materials, explicitly urging Schultz to obtain higher-classified documents. Schultz complied,

fully aware of the national security risks.

The investigation also uncovered Schultz’s attempts to recruit a fellow Army analyst assigned to the Indo-Pacific Command, which oversees U.S. military operations in China’s sphere of influence. Discussions with Conspirator A emphasized a cautious approach to expanding their scheme.

“Those who collaborate with foreign adversaries jeopardize our nation and our troops,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Robert E. McGuire for the Middle District of Tennessee. “We will tirelessly protect our service members from those who sell out for profit.”

Brigadier General Rhett R. Cox, head of the Army Counterintelligence Command, underscored the gravity of the breach: “Schultz’s actions put Army personnel at risk for personal gain. We remain committed to safeguarding our nation’s secrets.”

The FBI’s Nashville Field Office led the investigation, with support from the Army Counterintelligence Command and the Department of Defense. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Kurtzman and National Security Division trial attorneys Adam Barry and Christopher Cook.

The sentencing reflects ongoing efforts to combat espionage and protect U.S. military secrets from foreign adversaries.