Former Army Intelligence Sergeant Pleads Guilty to Trying to Share Secrets with China

A former U.S. Army intelligence sergeant has admitted guilt to federal charges related to an attempt to provide classified military information to China.

Joseph Daniel Schmidt, 31, acknowledged in court on June 18 that he unlawfully retained and attempted to transmit national defense information. He is now facing a potential sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison, along with a substantial fine of $250,000.

Schmidt was a member of the Army’s 109th Military Intelligence Battalion from 2015 to 2020, during which he obtained a top-secret security clearance and received training in Mandarin. His position provided him with insight into confidential information, monitoring methods, and questioning procedures.

Following his departure from the Army in January 2020, Schmidt traveled to China through Turkey, where he contacted Chinese officials, presenting intelligence he had gathered during his military service. Officials report that he possessed a secure Army device that could connect to classified networks.

The FBI reports that Schmidt created a 22-page document named "Important Information to Share with Chinese Government" and performed online inquiries such as “soldier defect” and “can you be extradited for treason.”

After spending several years overseas, he returned to the United States in October 2023, only to be taken into custody immediately upon his arrival in San Francisco, just two days after his indictment.

“This was not a lapse in judgment,” stated Brig. Gen. Rhett R. Cox, the commanding general of the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command. “These actions pose a significant risk to our national security.”

Schmidt originally entered a not guilty plea but later altered his stance as the evidence accumulated. Sentencing is set to take place on September 9 in federal court.