A former U.S. Army intelligence analyst has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison after pleading guilty to selling top-secret military information to a Chinese-linked contact. The case highlights growing concerns about foreign espionage operations targeting America’s armed forces—and the failure of previous administrations to adequately secure sensitive defense data.
Korbein Schultz, 25, of Wills Point, Texas, admitted to passing classified information to a contact he believed was working on behalf of the Chinese government. Schultz, who held a top-secret security clearance, was assigned to Fort Campbell’s 506th Infantry Battalion and had direct access to restricted military documents.
Between 2022 and 2024, Schultz provided dozens of classified files, including operational plans, intelligence briefings, and sensitive technical manuals. Among the leaked materials were schematics for U.S. military satellites, missile defense systems, information on the F-22A fighter jet, HH-60 helicopters, intercontinental ballistic missile systems, and detailed analysis of the Chinese military and its Rocket Force.
He also revealed information on major U.S. military exercises in the Philippines and South Korea—potentially compromising the safety of American troops deployed in the Indo-Pacific region.
In exchange for his betrayal, Schultz received roughly $42,000 in payments. His contact first approached him through a freelance job platform under the guise of being a “geopolitical researcher,” a common tactic used by Chinese intelligence operatives. Schultz later attempted to recruit a friend at the Department of Defense to join the espionage operation—an effort that ultimately helped expose the scheme.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi condemned the betrayal in strong terms, saying Schultz “violated his oath to the country and put American service members and national security at risk—for a payout.”
FBI Director Kash Patel underscored the national security threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party’s ongoing efforts to infiltrate and steal U.S. military secrets. “The PRC is relentless,” Patel stated. “They view our service members as targets, and they’ll exploit any weakness they find. We’re not going to tolerate it.”
The sentencing comes as the Trump administration continues its crackdown on Chinese espionage and foreign infiltration across American institutions—from academia and tech, to defense and intelligence sectors. Unlike the previous administration, President Trump has made it a top priority to root out communist subversion and protect America’s strategic edge.
Schultz’s seven-year sentence may not undo the damage caused, but it sends a clear message: betraying your country to benefit a foreign adversary will be met with swift and serious consequences.