NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A U.S. Army soldier and intelligence analyst was arrested Thursday at Fort Campbell after being accused of selling confidential information related to national security to China.
In a press conference following his arrest on Thursday, March 7, United States Attorney Henry C. Leventis for the Middle District of Tennessee said a grand jury indicted United States Army Sgt. Korbein Schultz on multiple charges related to the alleged conspiracy.
The charges against him include 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.
As an intelligence analyst, Leventis said Schultz had duties including “serving as a custodian for confidential information, and training others on the proper handling, storage and dissemination of confidential information.”
The 25-page indictment alleges that from June 2022 until his arrest, Schultz took advantage of his Top-Secret security clearance and transported documents, writings, plans, maps, notes, and photographs relating to national defense to a co-conspirator in Hong Kong.
Leventis said some of those documents had information on U.S. military weapon systems, 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.
Some of the classified information was also related to the United States’ potential plans in the event that Taiwan came under military attack, officials reported. Three documents sent during that time reportedly violated the Arms Export Control Act (AECA).
Those documents included an Air Force Tactics Techniques and Procedures manual for the HH-60W helicopter, an Air Force Tactics Techniques and Procedures manual for the F22-A fighter aircraft, and an Air Force Tactics Techniques and Procedures manual for intercontinental ballistic missiles.
In exchange for the documents and information, investigators said Schultz received at least 14 payments that totaled around $42,000. In order to conceal his alleged conduct, Leventis said Schultz used multiple internet-based encrypted methods and discussed destroying evidence.
Authorities said he also considered recruiting another member of the U.S. military to gain additional national defense information.
“Protecting national defense information is absolutely critical to our country’s safety and security,” Leventis said. “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.”