WASHINGTON (CHATNEWSTV) — A former U.S. Army intelligence analyst was sentenced Wednesday to 84 months in prison for leaking sensitive U.S. military documents to an individual he believed was working for the Chinese government, the Justice Department announced.
Korbein Schultz, 25, of Wills Point, Texas, admitted in court to conspiring to transmit national defense information, exporting controlled military data, and accepting bribes in exchange for sharing non-public defense materials.
“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 Pamela Bondi. “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.”
Between May 2022 and his arrest in March 2024, Schultz provided at least 92 restricted military documents to a foreign national he met on a freelance web platform — a person later identified as “Conspirator A,” believed to be tied to the Chinese government.
“These documents included operational orders, technical manuals for U.S. weapon systems, and intelligence about the Chinese military,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “This sentencing is a stark warning to those who betray our country: you will pay a steep price for it.”
Court records revealed Schultz was paid approximately $42,000 for information that included:
U.S. Army orders before a deployment to Eastern Europe.
Lessons from the Ukraine-Russia conflict applicable to Taiwan’s defense.
Manuals for the F-22A fighter jet, HH-60 helicopter, and ICBM systems.
Information on U.S. missile defenses, satellites, and tactics to counter drones.
Acting U.S. Attorney Robert E. McGuire called Schultz’s actions “a grave risk” to national security. “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,” he said.
Schultz used his top secret clearance to access classified networks and databases. Investigators said he also tried to recruit another Army intelligence analyst working at U.S. Indo-Pacific Command — the U.S. military’s hub for operations in Asia — as part of the scheme.
Army Counterintelligence Command General Rhett R. Cox said the case underscores the critical importance of protecting classified information.
“This Soldier’s actions put Army personnel at risk, placing individual gain above personal honor,” Cox said. “We urge all current and former Army personnel to report any suspicious contact immediately.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Kurtzman and National Security Division trial attorneys Adam Barry and Christopher Cook. The FBI’s Nashville Field Office led the investigation, with support from Army Counterintelligence and the Department of Defense.
