Army intelligence analyst Korbein Schultz, 25, pleaded guilty to charges of conspiring to sell military information to China, as announced by the Justice Department. Schultz, a sergeant at Fort Campbell with top secret clearance, conspired with an individual in Hong Kong suspected of being associated with the Chinese government to collect national defense information in exchange for money. He pleaded guilty to all charges, including unlawful export of defense articles to China. U.S. District Judge Aleta Trauger is set to sentence Schultz on January 23, with potential severe punishment of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Schultz is also required to surrender any property or money linked to his crimes and is prohibited from profiting off them in the future.
FBI Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells emphasized the importance of safeguarding military personnel and national security information from hostile foreign governments like China. Schultz’s crimes involved disclosing sensitive information related to U.S. military weapons systems, responses to invasion scenarios, deployments in South Korea and the Philippines, and sensitive military tactics manuals. The FBI uncovered additional details indicating Schultz’s co-conspirator worked for the Chinese government, not a consulting firm as initially believed.
Prosecutors highlighted Schultz’s betrayal of trust in disclosing information about military helicopters, rocket systems, and defensive missile systems to China in exchange for $42,000. His actions were described as putting national security at risk for personal gain. Despite Schultz’s expressed desire for wealth and fascination with espionage, his actions were ultimately a breach of his duty to protect national defense information. Schultz’s sentencing and the potential impact of his crimes on national security were emphasized by government officials and military personnel.
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