Korbein Schultz, ex-Army intel analyst, sentenced to 7 years for selling secrets to the Chinese

An ex-Army sergeant received a seven-year prison sentence on Wednesday for selling state secrets to a foreign national with connections in the Chinese government. 

Former intelligence analyst Sgt. Korbein Schultz, 25, pleaded guilty back in August to six criminal counts, including bribery of a public official, exporting technical defense data and conspiracy to obtain and transmit classified technical defense data. 

According to court documents, Schultz transmitted 92 secret documents to a conspirator tied to the Chinese government. Schultz’s partner in the conspiracy was not named. Schultz transmitted technical documents on missile defense systems, military aircraft and U.S. intelligence on Chinese military tactics. 

Additionally, Schultz reportedly shared important documents relating to U.S. military exercises in South Korea and the Philippines. Authorities also noted that Schultz gave his conspirator information on how to counter U.S. drones in combat scenarios.

In 2023, Schultz’s Army unit, the 506th Infantry Battalion, was deployed to Eastern Europe to support NATO operations. During this time, he shared sensitive information regarding his unit’s activities. Schultz was contacted by his conspirator while in Europe. 

Schultz also shared important lessons U.S. intelligence officers learned during the Ukraine-Russia war that could be used to assist in Taiwan’s defense.

“Protecting classified information is paramount to our national security, and this sentencing reflects the ramifications when there is a breach of that trust,” Brig. Gen. Rhett R. Cox, commanding general of the Army Counterintelligence Command, said in a statement.

Over nearly two years, Schultz received approximately $42,000 in exchange for the transmitted information. He was arrested in March 2024 at Kentucky’s Fort Campbell, where he was stationed.