FORT CAMPBELL, KY (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – A Fort Campbell soldier and intelligence analyst pleaded guilty today to all charges that he engaged in a conspiracy to sell military secrets.

Korbein Schultz, a U.S. Army soldier and intelligence analyst, was arrested in March at Fort Campbell following an indictment by a federal grand jury charging him 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.
  • Bribery of a public official.

“This defendant sold national defense information to a foreign actor and conspired to corrupt other members of our military,” said U.S. Attorney Henry C. Leventis. “In doing so, he violated his training and his oath as a member of the armed services and he compromised our national security. Today’s guilty plea to all of the charges in the indictment ensures that he will be held fully accountable for his crimes.”

The conspiracy

From June 2022 until the time of his arrest, Schultz conspired with an individual, identified as Conspirator A, to disclose documents, writings, plans, maps, notes and photographs relating to national defense as well as information relating to national defense that Schultz “had reason to believe could be used to injure the United States or used to the advantage of a foreign nation,” according to a news release.

Conspirator A recruited Schultz, who possessed a Top Secret security clearance, and frequently tasked him to gather documents and sensitive U.S. military information. Specifically, Conspirator A tasked Schultz with gathering information related to a variety of U.S. military weapons systems, including related to the United States’ potential plans in the event that Taiwan came under military attack. Some of the information Schultz provided to Conspirator A included 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.

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In exchange for the documents and information, Conspirator A made at least 14 payments to Schultz that totaled approximately $42,000, the release said. Throughout the conspiracy, Conspirator A represented to Schultz that he lived in Hong Kong and worked for a geopolitical consulting firm based overseas.

Schultz also sent Conspirator A three documents that violated the Arms Export Control Act (AECA). The three 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, the news release said.

‘Putting his fellow soldiers in jeopardy’

“This soldier swore an oath to faithfully discharge his duties, to include protecting national defense information. Not only did he fail in his sworn duty, but he placed personal gain above his duty to our country and disclosed information that could give advantage to a foreign nation, putting his fellow soldiers in jeopardy,” said Brig. Gen. Rhett R. Cox, commanding general of the Army Counterintelligence Command.

“Army Counterintelligence Command, with our partners at the FBI, Department of Justice, and the greater intelligence community, will ruthlessly pursue those who commit acts such as these. Let this case serve as a warning: if any member of the Army, past or present, is asked for classified or sensitive information, they should report it to the appropriate authorities within 24 hours or be held fully accountable for their inaction.”

What’s next

Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 23, 2025. Schultz faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for conspiracy to obtain and transmit national defense information; 20 years in prison for exporting technical data related to defense articles to the People’s Republic of China without a license; 20 years in prison for conspiracy to violate the Arms Export Control Act and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (“ITAR”); and 15 years in prison for bribery of a public official. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

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