In another instance of Chinese espionage, former Army Sgt. Joseph Daniel Schmidt, aged 31, has admitted guilt to multiple charges for trying to share classified military information with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). During his service, he was involved in military intelligence from 2015 to 2020; Schmidt accessed data classified as ‘Secret’ and ‘Top Secret,’ which he subsequently transferred to Chinese military officials.
As a point of reference, after his departure from the army, he traveled to Turkey and Hong Kong to relay the information directly to foreign agents. The charging documents indicate that he was caught after searching for terms such as ‘soldier defect’ and ‘can you be extradited for treason.’
In response to the guilty plea, Brig. Gen. Rhett R. Cox, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command, strongly condemned the failed espionage attempt. He remarked, ‘This was not a lapse in judgment — this individual failed to uphold his oath to defend our nation and to protect the lives of those he served alongside.’
Continuing his criticism of the traitor, he added, ‘By attempting to provide classified information to China, he jeopardized our mission and betrayed his fellow soldiers for personal gain. These actions pose a threat to our national security.’
Expanding on the case, an official document from the Department of Justice provided further details regarding the espionage. A press release disclosed that ‘A former U.S. Army Sergeant whose last duty station was Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) in western Washington pleaded guilty on Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Seattle to two federal felonies, as announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller.’
Furthermore, the Department of Justice stated that ‘Joseph Daniel Schmidt, 31, pleaded guilty to attempting to deliver national defense information and retaining national defense information. He faces a potential sentence of up to ten years in prison when he is sentenced by U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour on September 9, 2025.’
Expressing gratitude to Kash Patel’s FBI for their assistance in the investigation, the DOJ disclosed, “The FBI conducted the investigation, with significant support from the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Greenberg is overseeing the prosecution, with crucial help from the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.”
Providing additional context, the document noted, “According to records submitted in the case, Schmidt served as an active-duty soldier from January 2015 to January 2020. His main assignment was at JBLM in the 109th Military Intelligence Battalion. In this capacity, Schmidt had access to SECRET and TOP SECRET information, “adding, “Following his departure from the military, Schmidt contacted the Chinese Consulate in Turkey and subsequently reached out to the Chinese security services via email, offering national defense information.”
Disclosing critical information, the document stated, “In March 2020, Schmidt traveled to Hong Kong and persisted in his attempts to provide Chinese intelligence with classified information acquired during his military service. He produced several extensive documents detailing various “high-level secrets” he intended to offer to the Chinese government.”
Elucidating how the treason was executed, the DOJ reported, “He retained a device that enables access to secure military computer networks and proposed the device to Chinese officials to aid them in their efforts to infiltrate such networks.”
Wrapping up their account, the DOJ remarked, “Schmidt remained in China, primarily in Hong Kong, until October 2023, when he traveled to San Francisco. He was apprehended at the airport. Attempts to convey national defense information and the retention of national defense information are both subject to penalties of up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.