An Army intelligence analyst has admitted to selling sensitive military documents to a foreign national, according to the U.S. Justice Department. Sergeant Korbein Schultz, 25, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to conspiracy and bribery charges related to the sale of classified documents detailing rocket systems and Chinese military tactics.

The documents, valued at approximately $42,000, were sold to an individual believed to be residing in Hong Kong and associated with the Chinese government. Sergeant Schultz, who had access to top-secret information as an intelligence analyst, received 14 separate payments over the course of two years in exchange for the military documents.

Sergeant Schultz was arrested at Fort Campbell, situated along the Kentucky-Tennessee state line, in March of this year. Initially denying the allegations, he later changed his plea to guilty in July.

On Tuesday, Sergeant Schultz appeared before a federal court in Nashville where he admitted to two counts of conspiracy, one count of bribery, and three counts of exporting technical defense data. If convicted, he faces up to 65 years in prison at his sentencing scheduled for January 23rd, 2023.

Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division expressed concern over the incident, stating that Sergeant Schultz sold sensitive military information to a foreign national, thereby posing a risk to national security.

"By conspiring to transmit national defense information to a person living outside the United States, this defendant callously put our national security at risk to cash in on the trust our military placed in him," Mr. Olsen stated.

While Sergeant Schultz's lawyer declined to comment on the case, it is worth noting that as of Wednesday, he remains an active member of the military, according to the Justice Department. The Army is currently investigating the matter and has yet to respond to requests for comment.

The court documents do not provide details on how Sergeant Schultz became involved in the scheme. The individual he was collaborating with is referred to as "Conspirator A" in the indictment.

The indictment reveals that Sergeant Schultz was first contacted by Conspirator A in June 2022, requesting access to classified information. Over the following months, Sergeant Schultz provided military documents in exchange for payment. In one instance, he was asked for insights on Russia's war with Ukraine and Taiwan's defense strategies, resulting in a payment of $200. The payments subsequently increased, prosecutors allege.

In July 2022, Sergeant Schultz and Conspirator A discussed the importance of secure communication channels that could not be traced, agreeing to describe their online financial transactions as "car customization."

The indictment suggests that Sergeant Schultz continued his collaboration with Conspirator A until at least March 2024, sharing information related to Chinese military tactics, rocket systems, and summaries of military drills and operations.

Brigadier General Rhett R. Cox, the commanding general of the Army Counterintelligence Command, expressed disappointment over the incident. He emphasized the importance of protecting national defense information as part of the oath taken by soldiers.

"Not only did he fail in his sworn duty," General Cox stated, "but he placed personal gain above his duty to our country and disclosed information that could give advantage to a foreign nation, putting his fellow soldiers in jeopardy."