Korbein Schultz, a U.S. Army soldier and intelligence analyst, was arrested at Fort Campbell on Thursday after a six-count indictment unsealed by a federal grand jury alleged he sold military documents to China, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee Henry C. Leventis announced.
The 25-page indictment alleges that Schultz (pictured above) conspired with an individual – referred to as Conspirator A – from June 2022 until Thursday to “disclose documents, writings, plans, maps, notes, and photographs relating to national defense as well as information relating to national defense which Schultz had reason to believe could be used to injure the United States or used to the advantage of a foreign nation,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
United States Attorney Henry C. Leventis is joined by FBI Special Agent Douglas DePodesta in Nashville speaking on a case they say is of national concern. https://t.co/MN9Omqi04r
— FoxNashville (@FOXNashville) March 7, 2024
Conspirator A, who told Schultz he lived in Hong Kong and worked for a geopolitical consulting firm based overseas, recruited Schultz and “frequently tasked him to gather documents and sensitive U.S. military information.”
Noting how he possessed a Top Secret security clearance, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said Schultz sold Conspirator A documents and information related to U.S. military weapons systems, some of which were classified, and information related to the United States’ potential plans if Taiwan came under military attack.
Schultz is also alleged to have provided Conspirator A with documents related to the “High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), information on hypersonic equipment, studies on the future development of U.S. military forces, studies on major countries such as the People’s Republic of China, and summaries of military drills and operations.”
In addition, the indictment alleges Schultz sent Conspirator A three documents – specifically Air Force Tactics Techniques and Procedures manuals – that violated the Arms Export Control Act (AECA).
Today, Sgt. Korbein Schultz was arrested for conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defense information, export of technical data related to defense articles without a license, conspiracy to export defense articles without a license, and bribery of a public official. pic.twitter.com/WAPXLLVYeg
— Army Counterintelligence Command (ACIC) (@Real_ArmyCI) March 7, 2024
Conspirator A allegedly sent Schultz 14 payments totaling $42,000 in exchange for the information.
Schultz is charged with conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defense information, exporting technical data related to defense articles without a license, conspiracy to export defense articles without a license, and bribery of a public official.
“Protecting national defense information is absolutely critical to our country’s safety and security,” U.S. Attorney Leventis said in a statement. “The unauthorized sale of such information violates our national security laws, compromises our safety, and cannot be tolerated. Today’s indictment should serve as a reminder of the Justice Department’s vigilance in protecting the United States against any threat to national security, foreign or domestic.”
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
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