Former Army Sergeant Sentenced for Attempting to Share Classified Info with China

A former Army sergeant with top-secret clearance at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington has been sentenced to four years in federal prison for his attempts to share national defense information with China.

Thirty-one-year-old Joseph Daniel Schmidt pled guilty in June to charges related to attempting to send and store classified materials, as reported by the Department of Justice (DOJ). In addition to his prison term, U.S. District Judge John C. Cogner imposed three years of supervised release.

His sentencing comes amid warnings from U.S. officials about increasing efforts from China to recruit former military personnel who have access to sensitive information.

Charles Neal Floyd, Acting U.S. Attorney, expressed concern that former service members could jeopardize their colleagues and the nation by leaking classified intel to hostile nations. He remarked, “It’s hard to understand how anyone could endanger others in such a way.”

Schmidt joined the Army in 2015, serving in the 109th Military Intelligence Battalion until his departure in 2020.

Prosecutors revealed that he had access to several classified systems and made contact with Chinese consular officials after leaving the military.

According to court documents, Schmidt created multiple documents from classified materials, supplying them to Chinese security personnel. He also retained devices that allowed him access to the Army’s secure networks, which he reportedly shared with officials in China.

After leaving military service, Schmidt spent time in Hong Kong starting in March 2020, maintaining his connections with Chinese operatives. He lived there for over three years, returning to the U.S. in October 2023, when he was arrested in San Francisco. He ultimately pled guilty in June 2025 and faced sentencing in Seattle on Tuesday.

During the sentencing, Judge Cogner took into account “the seriousness of Mr. Schmidt’s actions as well as his mental state.” A spokesperson from the Department of Justice later confirmed that the judge considered Schmidt’s mental health a contributing factor in his sentence. It was noted that Schmidt had left the Army due to mental health issues, and officials indicated there was no evidence that classified materials made it to China.

W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the Seattle Field Office, commented that the FBI and its partners remain committed to safeguarding the nation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Greenberg emphasized that Schmidt “produced documents based on classified and national defense information,” highlighting that he understood the gravity of his actions. He even searched online for terms like, “Can I be extradited for treason?”

The FBI led the investigation, collaborating with the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command (USACC).

The Army has yet to respond to inquiries regarding this matter.