US Army Soldier Korbein Schultz Pleads Guilty to Sharing Secrets with China
A US Army soldier and intelligence analyst, Korbein Schultz, has admitted to sharing the country’s national defense information with China. The Department of Justice announced that Schultz pleaded guilty to all charges on August 12.
Details of the Case
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen stated that Schultz abused his access to restricted government systems to sell sensitive military information to a foreign national. Schultz, who held a top secret security clearance, conspired with an individual in Hong Kong to collect and transmit classified information and export-controlled technical data related to US military weapons systems to the Chinese government in exchange for money.
Schultz received $42,000 for handing over dozens of classified US military documents. These documents included information on US military tactics, strategies, and weapons systems, as well as details about military exercises and deployments.
Charges and Penalties
Schultz faces several charges, including:
- Conspiracy to obtain and transmit national defense information (up to 10 years in prison)
- Exporting technical data related to defense articles without a license (up to 20 years in prison)
- Conspiracy to violate the Arms Export Control Act and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (up to 20 years in prison)
- Bribery of a public official (up to 15 years in prison)
He was arrested in March and is scheduled for a sentencing hearing on January 23, 2025.
Investigation and Prosecution
The FBI and US Army Counterintelligence Command are investigating the case. Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI’s National Security Branch emphasized the importance of safeguarding national security information from hostile foreign governments.
Assistant US Attorney Josh Kurtzman and Trial Attorneys Adam Barry and Christopher Cook are prosecuting the case.
Doubts Revealed
US Army -: The US Army is the land-based military force of the United States. They protect the country and help in emergencies.
Korbein Schultz -: Korbein Schultz is a soldier in the US Army who did something wrong by sharing secrets with another country.
China -: China is a large country in Asia. It is one of the most powerful countries in the world.
sensitive military information -: Sensitive military information includes important and secret details about how the army works and its plans.
top secret clearance -: Top secret clearance means someone is allowed to know very important and secret information.
classified data -: Classified data is information that is kept secret to protect a country.
$42,000 -: $42,000 is a large amount of money. In Indian Rupees, it is around 35 lakh rupees.
conspiracy -: Conspiracy means planning to do something illegal or harmful with others.
bribery -: Bribery is giving or receiving money or gifts to do something illegal or wrong.
FBI -: The FBI is the Federal Bureau of Investigation. They solve serious crimes in the United States.
US Army Counterintelligence Command -: The US Army Counterintelligence Command is a group that protects the army from spies and other threats.
sentencing hearing -: A sentencing hearing is a meeting in court where a judge decides the punishment for someone who broke the law.