Former Army Intel Analyst Learns Fate for Feeding China National Defense Information

U.S. military personnel have been cautioned against aiding foreign nations after a former Army soldier was found guilty of leaking national defense information to a U.S. adversary.

Korbein Schultz, 25, from Wills Point, Texas, received a seven-year prison sentence on Wednesday for transmitting sensitive material to China.

Following the sentencing, the Justice Department issued a news release explaining that Schultz had admitted guilt to the charges in August 2024.

The DOJ's August 13 announcement laid out the evidence against him.

According to the Justice Department, Schultz began working with a Hong Kong-based individual, whom he suspected was acting on behalf of China. This contact sought classified knowledge on missile defense systems and mobile artillery platforms.

“Before he was arrested,” the DOJ’s August statement noted, “Schultz sent Conspirator A dozens of sensitive and restricted (but unclassified) U.S. military documents regarding a variety of U.S. military weapons systems and U.S. military tactics and strategy, including documents containing export-controlled technical data.”

The materials Schultz provided included documents and manuals on U.S. aircraft, technical evaluations of the conflict in Ukraine, and analyses on how those findings could be used to defend Taiwan.

Additionally, Schultz turned over documents about the THAAD missile defense program and the HIMARS missile systems.

He didn’t stop there; Schultz also leaked information regarding U.S. military satellites and shared the operational orders for his Army unit ahead of a deployment. In return for his actions, he received around $42,000 from the Hong Kong-based conspirator.

Beyond his 84-month prison term, Schultz faced sharp criticism from top officials.

“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,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi, according to the DOJ release.

“This sentencing is a stark warning to those who betray our country: You will pay a steep price for it,” FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized.

Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, Robert E. McGuire, issued perhaps the harshest statement.

“Those who collaborate with America’s foreign adversaries put our country, and those who defend it, at grave risk, and we will do whatever it takes to hold them accountable for their crimes,” McGuire stated.

“We will proudly stand in support of our men and women in uniform and work diligently to protect them from people like the defendant who would sell them out for a few bucks.”