American military member admits to selling classified military data

An Army soldier, Sgt. Korbein Schultz, who was also an intelligence analyst, has pleaded guilty to charges of selling sensitive information related to U.S. military capabilities. Schultz entered the guilty plea in federal court in Nashville after initially pleading not guilty and later requesting a plea change. Prosecutors revealed that Schultz received at least 14 payments totaling $42,000 for the classified information he provided.

Schultz, aged 24, faced a six-count indictment including charges of conspiring to obtain and disclose military defense information and bribery of a public official. He was arrested at Fort Campbell in March, which spans the Tennessee-Kentucky border, shortly after the indictment was issued. Schultz admitted guilt to all charges and is scheduled to be sentenced on January 23, 2025. His federal public defender declined to comment on the case.

Brigadier General Rhett R. Cox, Commanding General of the Army Counterintelligence Command, emphasized the importance of reporting any requests for classified or sensitive information promptly. The indictment outlined that Schultz, holding a top-secret security clearance, conspired with an individual only referred to as “Conspirator A” to disclose various national defense materials since June 2022. Schultz was targeted for his security clearance and role in collecting sensitive U.S. military intelligence.

Schultz allegedly shared information on rocket and missile systems, counter-drone tactics, U.S. military satellites, and military exercises in countries like China. Initially asked for insights on Russia’s conflict with Ukraine and its relevance to U.S. support for Taiwan, Schultz received $200 for that data. This prompted “Conspirator A,” described as a foreign national in Hong Kong, to propose a long-term partnership with more lucrative offers for classified materials.