Federal prosecutors in Nashville have unsealed charges against a U.S. Army intelligence analyst, accusing them of exchanging national defense documents, writings, plans, maps, notes, and photographs for monetary compensation.
According to the Department of Justice, Korbein Schultz was often approached by an unindicted co-conspirator who requested sensitive documents. These documents included information on various U.S. military weapons systems, classified information, and details regarding the United States’ potential plans in the event of a military attack on Taiwan. It remains uncertain whether Schultz actually handed over the plans to the unindicted co-conspirator.
According to reports, Schultz reportedly received a payment of $42,000 in exchange for providing the documents. The co-conspirator, whose identity remains undisclosed, is said to have resided in Hong Kong and worked for a geopolitical consulting firm located abroad.
“At the press conference on Thursday, Henry C. Leventis, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, stated that the defendant is accused of participating in a long-term conspiracy to unlawfully capitalize on his access to National Defense information for personal financial gain. Leventis emphasized that the defendant exchanged classified National Defense information for monetary compensation.”
The defendant and his coconspirator were involved in obtaining various documents and information concerning advanced fighter aircraft, advanced military helicopters, intercontinental ballistic missiles, high mobility artillery, rocket systems, defensive missile systems, and Chinese military tactics. Furthermore, they were found to have discussed the recruitment of another member of the US military to join their conspiracy and provide additional National Defense information, as stated by Leventis.
According to the DOJ, the alleged scheme started in June of 2022 and continued until Schultz’s arrest.
According to the Department of Justice, Schultz was apprehended at Fort Campbell in Tennessee on Thursday.
According to the indictment, he allegedly provided three documents, which 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.
According to a post on Twitter from the Army Counterintelligence Command (ACIC), Sgt. Korbein Schultz was arrested today. The charges against him include 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.
According to court documents, the disclosure of this information by Schultz could potentially harm the national security of the United States.
The indictment reveals that Schultz received higher payment from the co-conspirator for documents with a larger number of classified markings.
In a message to the co-conspirator, prosecutors claim that Schultz expressed his desire to embody the iconic fictional character, Jason Bourne. Additionally, he mentioned his willingness to potentially collaborate with the co-conspirator in Hong Kong, suggesting the possibility of an in-person partnership.
ABC News made several attempts to reach an attorney for Schultz or Schultz himself, but their efforts were unsuccessful.
