BURSTSummary
1. Joseph Daniel Schmidt, a former U.S. Army Sergeant, pleaded guilty to attempting to share classified military information with China.
2. Schmidt contacted Chinese intelligence services and offered to provide classified documents and a device for accessing secure military computer networks.
3. He faces up to 10 years in prison and $250,000 in fines for each of two federal felony charges, with sentencing scheduled for September 9, 2025.A former U.S. Army Sergeant with access to classified military intelligence systems has admitted to federal charges related to attempting to provide sensitive national defense information to Chinese authorities.
Joseph Daniel Schmidt, 31, whose last assignment was at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), pleaded guilty to serious espionage-related charges that could result in significant prison time, marking a significant counterintelligence case involving military cybersecurity breaches and foreign intelligence operations.
Schmidt served as an active-duty soldier from January 2015 to January 2020, primarily assigned to the 109th Military Intelligence Battalion at JBLM in western Washington.
His position within the military intelligence community granted him extensive access to classified materials, including both SECRET and TOP SECRET information critical to national security operations.
The 109th Military Intelligence Battalion specializes in signals intelligence (SIGINT) and cybersecurity operations, making Schmidt’s access particularly sensitive from a counterintelligence perspective.
During his military tenure, Schmidt possessed security clearances that enabled him to handle classified information systems and secure military computer networks.
These clearances are subject to rigorous background investigations and periodic reviews by the Defense Security Service (DSS) and other federal agencies responsible for maintaining operational security (OPSEC) within defense intelligence networks.
Chinese Intelligence Contact
Following his separation from military service in January 2020, Schmidt initiated unauthorized contact with Chinese intelligence services through multiple channels.
He first reached out to the Chinese Consulate in Turkey before establishing direct communication with Chinese security services via encrypted email channels.
In March 2020, Schmidt traveled to Hong Kong, where he continued developing his relationship with Chinese intelligence operatives.
According to the DOJ Report, Schmidt created comprehensive documentation detailing what he described as “highlevel secrets” from his military intelligence background.
Most significantly, he retained a specialized device designed for accessing secure military computer networks, which he offered to Chinese authorities to facilitate their cyber espionage capabilities.
This device likely represented a Common Access Card (CAC) reader or similar hardware authentication tool used in Defense Information Systems Network (DISN) operations.
Schmidt remained in China, primarily in Hong Kong, until October 2023, when he attempted to return to the United States through San Francisco International Airport.
Schmidt was arrested upon arrival at San Francisco airport in October 2023, culminating a comprehensive investigation by the FBI with assistance from the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command.
On Wednesday, June 18, 2025, he pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court in Seattle to two federal felonies: attempt to deliver national defense information and retention of national defense information, both violations of the Espionage Act.
Each charge carries a maximum penalty of ten years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour will sentence Schmidt on September 9, 2025.
This case highlighted the federal government‘s commitment to protecting classified defense information from foreign intelligence threats.
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