Korbein Schultz, a former U.S. Army intelligence analyst, has been sentenced to 84 months in federal prison for conspiring to transmit national defense information to a foreign national he believed was affiliated with the Chinese government. The sentencing was announced by the U.S. Department of Justice on April 21, 2025.
Details of the Espionage Activities
Between May 2022 and March 2024, Schultz, 25, of Wills Point, Texas, used his Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance to access and transmit at least 92 sensitive U.S. military documents. These documents included classified information on U.S. military capabilities, such as operational orders, technical manuals for advanced weapon systems, and strategic assessments related to Taiwan’s defense. Schultz received approximately $42,000 in exchange for this information.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Schultz pleaded guilty in August 2024 to charges of conspiracy to collect and transmit national defense information, unlawfully exporting controlled information to China, and accepting bribes in exchange for sensitive, non-public U.S. government information. On April 21, 2025, U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy sentenced Schultz to 84 months of incarceration, followed by four years of federal supervised release.
Statements from Authorities
Attorney General Pamela Bondi emphasized the severity of Schultz’s actions, stating, “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.” FBI Director Kash Patel added, “The People’s Republic of China is relentless in its efforts to steal our national defense information, and service members are a prime target.” Acting U.S. Attorney Robert E. McGuire remarked, “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.”
Ongoing Investigations
The FBI and U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command continue to investigate the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Kurtzman for the Middle District of Tennessee and Trial Attorneys Adam Barry and Christopher Cook of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section prosecuted the case.
This case underscores the U.S. government’s commitment to safeguarding national security and holding individuals accountable for actions that compromise the safety and integrity of the nation.
