A former U.S. Army intelligence officer, Korbein Schultz, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for selling sensitive military information to someone believed to be linked to the Chinese government. The 25-year-old pleaded guilty last year to multiple charges, including conspiring to share national defense information and unlawfully exporting controlled information to China.
The Justice Department reported that Schultz sold critical documents over a three-year period, from May 2022 to March 2024. He received $42,000 for this information, which included details about American military technology and operations. Some of the documents he sold were related to U.S. military strategies in Eastern Europe, technical manuals for advanced military aircraft, and intelligence on the Chinese military.
Schultz was first approached by an individual posing as a consultant on a freelance platform. He even attempted to involve a friend who worked for the Department of Defense in his illegal activities. The investigation was led by the FBI’s Nashville office, with support from the Department of Defense and the Army Counterintelligence Command.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi emphasized the seriousness of Schultz’s actions, stating that he betrayed his oath to protect the United States. She noted that the Justice Department is committed to combating espionage efforts, particularly from China. FBI Director Kash Patel echoed this sentiment, warning that those who betray their country will face severe consequences.
Schultz could have faced a much longer sentence of up to 65 years if he had been given the maximum penalties for all his charges. This case highlights ongoing concerns about national security and the risks posed by insider threats within the military.