In a major national security breach, former U.S. Army Sergeant Joseph Daniel Schmidt, 31, has pleaded guilty to two federal felonies after attempting to provide classified national defense information to the Chinese government. His plea, entered in a U.S. District Court in Seattle on June 18, 2025, marks a sobering reminder of the persistent threat of foreign espionage targeting America’s military infrastructure.
Schmidt served as an active-duty member of the U.S. Army from January 2015 to January 2020. During that time, he was assigned to the 109th Military Intelligence Battalion at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) in Washington state. As part of his role in military intelligence, Schmidt was granted access to both SECRET and TOP SECRET information, making his betrayal particularly alarming.
According to court records and a Department of Justice (DOJ) press release, shortly after leaving the Army, Schmidt began contacting foreign entities, including the Chinese Consulate in Turkey. He expressed a willingness to share sensitive national defense materials. His overtures escalated in March 2020, when he traveled to Hong Kong to continue his espionage efforts.
While in Hong Kong, Schmidt allegedly created multiple documents outlining detailed military secrets. The DOJ revealed that he attempted to use these materials to gain favor with Chinese intelligence services. Particularly troubling was his attempt to offer a device capable of accessing secure U.S. military networks—a tool that could have had serious implications for American cybersecurity and national defense had it fallen into the wrong hands.
Schmidt remained abroad for over three years, primarily residing in Hong Kong. During that time, U.S. authorities monitored his actions as he persisted in his attempts to compromise classified defense information. His capture came in October 2023 when he flew from China to San Francisco International Airport. Federal agents arrested him upon arrival.
Now facing up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 for each of the two charges—attempting to deliver national defense information and unlawful retention of national defense information—Schmidt awaits sentencing, scheduled for September 9, 2025, before U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour.
The investigation into Schmidt’s actions was led by the FBI, with crucial support from the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command. Prosecutors from the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are also involved in the case, alongside Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Greenberg.
While the case raises serious concerns, there has been no evidence indicating that any sensitive information was successfully delivered to Chinese authorities. However, the DOJ emphasized that Schmidt’s intent alone represents a grave violation of national trust and a clear danger to U.S. military operations.
This incident adds to a growing list of espionage cases involving China and underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the U.S. intelligence community in protecting classified information. The outcome of Schmidt’s sentencing may serve as a warning to others who consider betraying their country for personal or ideological reasons.
