- Joseph Daniel Schmidt, a former U.S. Army sergeant, has been arrested on federal charges of attempting to deliver national defense information and retention of national defense information.
- Schmidt, whose last duty post was Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington, allegedly reached out to the Chinese Consulate in Turkey and later Chinese security services via email to offer classified information about national defense.
- Schmidt had access to “SECRET” and “TOP SECRET” information during his military service. After separating from the military, he allegedly traveled to Hong Kong in March 2020 and continued his efforts to provide Chinese intelligence with classified information.
- Attempting to deliver national defense information and retaining national defense information are both federal felonies punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Read More