by SEATTLE, WA — A former U.S. Army sergeant who once held top-secret security clearance has been sentenced to four years in federal prison for attempting to provide classified national defense information to China, the Department of Justice announced Tuesday.
Joseph Daniel Schmidt, 31, pleaded guilty in June to attempting to deliver and retain classified material while stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington. His sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour, also includes three years of supervised release following imprisonment.
Attempt to Aid Chinese Intelligence
According to court records, Schmidt served in the Army’s 109th Military Intelligence Battalion from 2015 to 2020, where he had access to both secret and top-secret systems. Prosecutors said that after leaving the Army, Schmidt attempted to share sensitive defense documents with Chinese security officials.
Investigators revealed that Schmidt created and retained documents based on classified material and offered them to China’s intelligence services. He also allegedly kept a military device capable of accessing secure Army networks, which he discussed offering to Chinese officials in his communications.
After his separation from the Army, Schmidt traveled to Hong Kong in March 2020, where he remained for more than three years. During that time, he reportedly corresponded with Chinese consular and security personnel. When Schmidt returned to the United States via San Francisco International Airport in October 2023, federal agents immediately arrested him.
Judge Considered Mental Health as a Factor
During sentencing, Judge Coughenour said he had weighed “the seriousness of Schmidt’s crime and his mental health at the time.” The Department of Justice confirmed that Schmidt’s mental health decline following his military service was considered a mitigating factor.
Officials noted that Schmidt’s separation from the Army was linked to a mental health episode and emphasized that no classified information was believed to have reached China.
“The FBI and our partners will remain vigilant in our mission to safeguard our nation,” said W. Mike Herrington, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Seattle Field Office.
Prosecutors Condemn “Betrayal of Duty”
Prosecutors said Schmidt’s actions represented a deep betrayal of trust. He had served in a position requiring intense loyalty and discretion but allegedly chose to leverage his training for personal or ideological reasons.
“As a retired Army officer, I find it unconscionable for a former soldier to put his colleagues and country at risk by peddling secret information and intelligence access to a hostile foreign power,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd.
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Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Greenberg said Schmidt appeared aware of the consequences of his actions, citing evidence of online searches such as “Can you be extradited for treason.”
“He knew what he was doing was wrong,” Greenberg said. “He was deliberately creating documents based on classified and national defense information and offering them to a foreign government.”
Broader National Security Concerns
The sentencing comes amid growing concerns about Chinese espionage efforts targeting former U.S. military personnel and contractors. Intelligence officials have warned that China increasingly seeks to recruit ex-service members who may have access to sensitive materials or operational knowledge.
According to the Justice Department, cases like Schmidt’s highlight the importance of maintaining vigilance even after individuals leave military service. The FBI and the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command (USACC) jointly investigated the case.
Schmidt’s attorney argued that his client’s mental health spiral and feelings of isolation after leaving the military contributed to his actions. However, prosecutors maintained that his deliberate contact with Chinese authorities and effort to share national defense data warranted prison time.
Ongoing Efforts to Protect National Security
The Department of Justice emphasized that while no damage assessment indicated leaked information, the attempt alone posed serious national security risks. Federal agents continue to review Schmidt’s communications and digital devices to ensure all classified data remains secure.
As espionage-related prosecutions increase, officials reaffirm that protecting classified information remains a top priority for U.S. intelligence and defense agencies.
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