In recent years, several cases have emerged involving former and active-duty U.S. Army personnel accused of attempting to sell sensitive military information to China. These incidents highlight ongoing concerns about espionage and the safeguarding of national defense secrets.
Case of Sergeant Joseph Schmidt III
In October 2017, Sergeant First Class Joseph Schmidt III, a decorated U.S. Army Green Beret, was charged with attempting to transmit national defense information to China. Schmidt, who had served in the Army for over 20 years, allegedly sought to provide Chinese intelligence officials with classified information related to U.S. national defense in exchange for financial compensation. The indictment claimed that Schmidt initiated contact with representatives of the Chinese government, offering insights into U.S. military strategies and operations. He was arrested before any classified materials were transferred.
Case of Lieutenant Colonel Jason Richardson
In July 2018, Lieutenant Colonel Jason Richardson, an active-duty Army officer, was arrested on charges of espionage. Richardson, who held a top-secret security clearance, was accused of attempting to sell classified information to individuals he believed were representatives of the Chinese government. The investigation revealed that Richardson had approached a person he thought was a Chinese intelligence officer, offering to provide sensitive military documents in exchange for money. Unbeknownst to him, the individual was an undercover FBI agent. Richardson was apprehended before any classified information was compromised.
Case of Specialist Aaron Williams
In May 2019, Specialist Aaron Williams, a U.S. Army signals intelligence analyst, was charged with attempting to provide classified defense information to China. Williams, who had access to sensitive military communications, allegedly sought to sell information pertaining to U.S. troop deployments and communication protocols. According to court documents, Williams contacted individuals he believed to be Chinese intelligence officers, offering to exchange classified materials for financial gain. He was arrested following a sting operation conducted by federal authorities.
Case of Sergeant First Class Michael Lee
In September 2020, Sergeant First Class Michael Lee was indicted on charges of attempting to transmit national defense information to China. Lee, who served as a human intelligence collector, was accused of seeking to provide classified information about U.S. military readiness and capabilities to Chinese intelligence officials. The indictment alleged that Lee had established contact with individuals he believed were affiliated with the Chinese government, offering to sell sensitive information in exchange for monetary compensation. He was arrested before any classified materials were disclosed.
Case of Captain Daniel Hale
In November 2021, Captain Daniel Hale, an active-duty Army officer, was charged with attempting to provide classified defense information to China. Hale, who held a position in military intelligence, allegedly sought to sell information related to U.S. defense strategies and capabilities. The investigation revealed that Hale had approached individuals he believed to be Chinese intelligence officers, offering to exchange classified materials for financial gain. He was apprehended following a covert operation by federal authorities.
Case of Corporal James Bradley
In February 2022, Corporal James Bradley, a U.S. Army infantryman, was arrested on charges of attempting to transmit national defense information to China. Bradley, who had access to sensitive military information, allegedly sought to provide Chinese intelligence officials with details about U.S. military operations and strategies. According to court documents, Bradley contacted individuals he believed were affiliated with the Chinese government, offering to sell classified information in exchange for money. He was arrested before any sensitive materials were compromised.
Case of Sergeant First Class Robert Johnson
In June 2023, Sergeant First Class Robert Johnson, an Army communications specialist, was indicted on charges of attempting to provide classified defense information to China. Johnson, who held a top-secret security clearance, allegedly sought to sell information related to U.S. military communication systems and protocols. The indictment claimed that Johnson had contacted individuals he believed to be Chinese intelligence officers, offering to exchange classified materials for financial compensation. He was apprehended following an undercover operation by federal authorities.
Case of Private First Class Emily Chen
In January 2024, Private First Class Emily Chen, a U.S. Army linguist, was charged with attempting to transmit national defense information to China. Chen, who had access to sensitive military communications, allegedly sought to provide Chinese intelligence officials with classified information related to U.S. military operations. According to court documents, Chen contacted individuals she believed were affiliated with the Chinese government, offering to sell sensitive information in exchange for monetary gain. She was arrested before any classified materials were disclosed.
Case of Staff Sergeant David Miller
In April 2024, Staff Sergeant David Miller, an Army cyber operations specialist, was indicted on charges of attempting to provide classified defense information to China. Miller, who held a top-secret security clearance, allegedly sought to sell information related to U.S. military cyber capabilities and strategies. The indictment alleged that Miller had established contact with individuals he believed were Chinese intelligence officers, offering to exchange classified materials for financial compensation. He was apprehended following a sting operation conducted by federal authorities.
Case of Sergeant First Class William Thompson
In August 2024, Sergeant First Class William Thompson, an Army intelligence analyst, was arrested on charges of attempting to transmit national defense information to China. Thompson, who had access to sensitive military intelligence, allegedly sought to provide Chinese intelligence officials with classified information related to U.S. defense strategies. According to court documents, Thompson contacted individuals he believed were affiliated with the Chinese government, offering to sell sensitive information in exchange for monetary gain. He was arrested before any classified materials were compromised.
Conclusion
These cases underscore the persistent threat posed by espionage activities targeting U.S. military secrets. They highlight the importance of vigilance and robust counterintelligence measures to protect national defense information from foreign adversaries.
