Army Betrayal: Spy Secrets Sold to China

Chess pieces with secretive background text pattern

A former Army intelligence sergeant who attempted to sell America’s military secrets to China after a mental health crisis has been sentenced to four years in prison, exposing dangerous gaps in how our military handles trusted personnel who spiral into betrayal.

Story Snapshot

Joseph Daniel Schmidt sentenced to four years for attempting to deliver classified military information to Chinese intelligence
Former intelligence team leader actively sought employment as Chinese spy after leaving Army in 2020
Mental health decline cited as factor, but officials call it deliberate betrayal of oath and country
Case highlights insider threat risks and need for stronger counterintelligence measures against China

Deliberate Betrayal Disguised as Mental Health Crisis

Joseph Daniel Schmidt’s sentencing on October 28, 2025, represents more than individual failure—it exposes systemic vulnerabilities in protecting America’s secrets. The former Army sergeant from Joint Base Lewis-McChord didn’t stumble into treason; he actively pursued it. After separating from military service in early 2020, Schmidt contacted the Chinese Consulate in Turkey, offering classified information in exchange for employment as an intelligence asset. His actions weren’t impulsive mistakes but calculated steps toward becoming a Chinese spy.

Schmidt’s five-year tenure as team leader in the 109th Military Intelligence Battalion granted him access to secret and top secret information—trust he systematically violated. Between 2020 and 2023, while residing in China, he continued attempting to secure his position as a foreign intelligence operative. The FBI investigation revealed Schmidt retained a device capable of accessing secure military networks, dramatically amplifying the potential damage to national security.

Pattern of Persistent Espionage Efforts

The scope of Schmidt’s betrayal extended far beyond a single breach. In March 2020, he traveled to Hong Kong specifically to advance his relationship with Chinese intelligence services. Court documents reveal he created classified documents and maintained ongoing communications with Chinese officials and media throughout his three-year residence in China. This wasn’t momentary weakness—it was sustained espionage activity that could have compromised American military operations and personnel worldwide.

Schmidt’s efforts only ended when China declined to renew his visa in October 2023, forcing his return to the United States. FBI agents arrested him immediately upon arrival at San Francisco International Airport, suggesting authorities had been monitoring his activities. The fact that Schmidt spent three years actively collaborating with Chinese intelligence while American taxpayers funded his military training and security clearance represents a profound breach of the sacred trust between citizen-soldiers and their nation.

Justice Served Despite Lenient Sentence

U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour’s four-year sentence, while including three years of supervised release, may seem insufficient given the severity of Schmidt’s crimes. U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd condemned the actions as “unconscionable” and a direct threat to national security. Brigadier General Rhett R. Cox emphasized that Schmidt’s behavior represented deliberate betrayal, not mere lapses in judgment—a crucial distinction that should guide future cases involving military personnel who violate their oaths.

The case underscores growing Chinese espionage threats targeting American military personnel. FBI Special Agent Herrington’s statements highlight how foreign adversaries exploit trusted insiders to access classified information. Schmidt’s conviction sends a message that such betrayals carry consequences, but the relatively light sentence may not adequately deter future insider threats. Patriots should demand stronger penalties for military personnel who sell out their country, regardless of claimed mental health issues.