Introduction
A former US Army intelligence analyst has been sentenced to seven years in prison for leaking sensitive military documents to an individual believed to be tied to the Chinese government. This high-profile case underscores the ongoing threat of espionage and the severe consequences for betraying national security. Korbein Schultz, a sergeant with top-secret clearance, provided critical defense information, raising concerns about vulnerabilities in military intelligence.
Details of the Case
Sergeant Korbein Schultz, aged 25, was arrested in March 2024 at Fort Campbell, a military base straddling the Kentucky-Tennessee border. According to the Justice Department, Schultz pleaded guilty in August 2024 to multiple charges, including conspiring to obtain and disclose national defense information, exporting technical data without a license, and bribery of a public official. He admitted to sharing at least 92 sensitive US military documents with a contact in Hong Kong, suspected of affiliations with the Chinese government.
[](https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/former-us-army-intelligence-analyst-sentenced-selling-sensitive-military-information)In exchange for approximately $42,000, Schultz provided documents detailing US military capabilities. These included lessons learned from the Ukraine-Russia conflict applicable to Taiwan’s defense, technical manuals for advanced weapons systems like the HH-60 helicopter and F-22A fighter aircraft, and insights into Chinese military tactics. His actions compromised sensitive information about US military exercises in South Korea and the Philippines.
[](https://www.foxnews.com/us/former-us-army-intelligence-analyst-sentenced-selling-sensitive-documents-chinese-national)
Legal Consequences and Official Statements
The sentencing, announced on April 23, 2025, reflects the US government’s firm stance against espionage. FBI Director Kash Patel stated, “This sentencing is a stark warning to those who betray our country: you will pay a steep price for it.” Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized the Justice Department’s vigilance, saying, “Those who leak military secrets will spend years behind bars.” The case was investigated by the FBI’s Nashville Field Office, with support from the US Army Counterintelligence Command.
[](https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/former-us-army-intelligence-analyst-sentenced-selling-sensitive-military-information)Schultz’s case follows other recent espionage incidents involving US military personnel. For instance, Navy sailor Wenheng Zhao was sentenced to 27 months in January 2024 for similar charges. These cases highlight the persistent efforts by foreign entities, particularly China, to target US military secrets.
[](https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/us-navy-sailor-sentenced-27-months-prison-transmitting-sensitive-us-military-information)Implications for National Security
The breach by Schultz raises serious concerns about the protection of classified information within the US military. His attempt to recruit a fellow analyst assigned to the Indo-Pacific Command further illustrates the potential for insider threats. The Justice Department and FBI continue to prioritize counterintelligence efforts to safeguard national defense information from foreign adversaries.
[](https://www.foxnews.com/us/former-us-army-intelligence-analyst-sentenced-selling-sensitive-documents-chinese-national)