The former US Army intelligence analyst was sentenced to seven years in prison on Wednesday for providing sensitive military information to anyone he believed to be affiliated with the Chinese government.
Colbain Schultz, 25, of Wills Point, Texas, pleaded guilty in August 2024 to conspiring to collect and transmit defense information, export illegally controlled information to China, and accepting bribery in exchange for sensitive, private US government information.
From May 2024 to his arrest in March 2024, Schultz engaged in a continuous conspiracy to provide many delicate US military documents, many of which provided export control tactical and technical information directly to foreigners living in the Republic of China, according to court documents.
Despite “clear signs,” Schultz continued the relationship in exchange for around $42,000, as the person he was providing information was likely linked to the Chinese government.
Schultz pleaded guilty to giving Chinese people an order to operate an army force before being deployed to Eastern Europe to support NATO’s operations. Lessons learned by the US military from the Ukraine-Russian conflicts applied to Taiwan’s defense. Technical manual for HH-60 helicopters, F-22A fighter jets, and intercontinental ballistic missile systems. Information on China’s military tactics and the People’s Liberation Army rocket forces. Details about US military exercises in South Korea and the Philippines.
He also provided documentation on US military satellite and missile defense systems, including high mobility artillery fire systems and defense of terminal high altitude areas, and provided tactics to counter unmanned aerial systems in large-scale combat operations.
According to court documents, the person Schultz provided information in China contacted him first, shortly after Schultz received his top secret/sensitive compartment information clearance.
They are said to have recruited Schultz to provide a detailed analysis of US military capabilities and planning, particularly in relation to the Taiwan-Russian-Ukraine conflict, and disguised themselves as clients of geopolitical consulting firms.
As relations progressed, the demands of the Chinese people became increasingly concrete and sensitive. A technical manual, operational procedures and intelligence assessment were requested.
The conspirators highlighted “exclusiveness” and “CUI and better,” revealing that they were interested in receiving unpublished material to Schultz in search of a higher level of classification, according to court documents.
Schultz agreed to send a higher level of classification information to the Chinese in exchange for money.
According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), Schultz fully aware of the national security impacts and downloaded and sent at least 92 confidential US military documents to a restricted database that includes a closed US government computer network.
He also tried to recruit a friend, a fellow Army intelligence analyst, into the plot.
At the time, Schultz’s friend was assigned to the US Department of Defense’s Indo-Pacific Command, a combat order covering China and the influential areas of the region.
Schultz and the Chinese co-conspirators discussed the need to employ others who have better access to the classified material, according to court documents.
Attorney General Pamela Bondy said Schultz betrayed his vows to protect America, putting members of the American military and services at risk.
“The Justice Department remains vigilant against China’s efforts to target our military, ensuring that those who leak military secrets will spend years behind the bar,” Bondi wrote in a statement provided by the DOJ.
Additional service members of Kash Patel, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), are the “major targets” of the People’s Republic of China.
“This ruling is a harsh warning to those who betray our country. You will pay a sudden price for it,” Patel wrote in a statement. “The People’s Republic of China is unaware of efforts to steal national defense information, and service members are key targets. The FBI and our partners will remain liable for waiving our obligation to protect defense information from hostile foreign governments.”
