(DailyChive.com) – In what is considered to be an act of treason, 24-year-old U.S. Army intelligence analyst Korbein Schultz, stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, has been arrested. He faces multiple serious charges, including conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defense information, exporting sensitive data without a license, and bribery of a public official.
Prosecutors allege Schultz betrayed his country by selling classified information entrusted to him for safekeeping. They accuse him of providing critical military documents, including details on U.S. weapons systems, to an individual in Hong Kong in exchange for a meager $42,000.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen of the Justice Department expressed grave concern. He stated that Schultz prioritized personal profit over the safety of Americans by allegedly conspiring to share classified information that could harm the nation.
However, the accused pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in a Nashville federal court.
The investigation revealed that Schultz’s alleged espionage activities began in June 2022 and lasted almost a year. Notably, one of his recent assignments involved the critical responsibility of being a Classified Document Custodian, highlighting the severity of the alleged breach.
Authorities believe Schultz communicated with a foreign national residing in Hong Kong who works for a geopolitical consulting firm. The classified documents Schultz is accused of selling are a treasure trove of sensitive information. This includes details on the powerful HIMARS rocket system, cutting-edge hypersonic technology, future development plans for U.S. military forces, crucial intelligence on major players like China, and even classified summaries of military drills and operations.
Further raising concerns, the indictment alleges Schultz also transferred highly sensitive Air Force technical manuals for advanced aircraft like the F-22 fighter jet and the HH-60W helicopter, along with a manual detailing operations of intercontinental ballistic missiles.
FBI National Security Official Larissa Knapp emphasized the charges represent a clear betrayal of Schultz’s oath. She stated that Schultz allegedly conspired with a foreign entity to sell national defense information rather than safeguarding it, potentially putting national security at great risk.
This incident follows another concerning case – earlier this year – a Navy Petty Officer, Wenheng Zhao, pleaded guilty to espionage charges for providing sensitive military information, including details on operations, training, and critical infrastructure, to a Chinese intelligence officer in exchange for a mere $14,866.
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