Former Army Sergeant arrested for sharing confidential info to Chinese authorities

Visual Representation: Flags of U.S. and China | Credits: Reuters
Visual Representation: Flags of U.S. and China | Credits: Reuters

Washington DC, United States: Joseph Daniel Schmidt, 29, a former US Army Sergeant, was arrested on Friday on “an indictment charging him with two federal felonies: attempt to deliver national defense information and retention of national defense information.” The update regarding the same was shared by the official website of the US Department of Justice.

According to the information, Schmidt will be presented in front of the US District Court for the Northern District of California. Following this, he will appear in the Western District of Washington to carry forward further court proceedings.

The Department also informed that the last duty post of the accused Army Sergeant was Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

What do higher officials have to say?

Assistant Attorney General for National Security Matthew G Olsen shared his take on the incident and said, “Individuals entrusted with national defense information have a continuing duty to protect that information beyond their government service and certainly beyond our borders.”

Assistant Attorney General for National Security Matthew G Olsen | Credits: US Department of Justice (website)

He added, “The National Security Division is committed to identifying and holding accountable those who violate that duty,” according to the update by the US Department of Justice.

The website further informed that the Acting US Attorney Tessa M. Gorman for the Western District of Washington said, “Members of our military take a sworn oath to defend our country and the Constitution. In that context, the alleged actions of this former military member are shocking – not only attempting to provide national defense information but also information that would assist a foreign adversary to gain access to Department of Defense secure computer networks.”

Acting US Attorney Tessa M. Gorman for the Western District of Washington | Credits: Google Images

Moreover, he praised the FBI for their efforts. He was quoted saying, “I commend the FBI for their diligent work to end his alleged efforts to betray our country.”

Case of Joseph Daniel Schmidt:

The US Department of Justice noted that Schmidt was a soldier who worked for five (5) years, from January 2015 to January 2020. The primary job responsibility was in the 109th Military Intelligence Battalion at JBLM. Accordingly, while serving in that position, Schmidt has access to secret and top-secret information.

The Department informed that after Daniel Schmidt separated from the military, he contacted the Chinese Consulate in Turkey. After this, he went to the Chinese security services and provided them with all the important and confidential information about the national defense. Reports suggest that he was sharing all the details through email.

Further investigation revealed that Schmidt traveled to Hong Kong in March 2020. During this visit, he provided all the remaining information he gathered during his service to the Chinese intelligence. He was also blamed for having a device that provided direct access to the military computer networks, offering all the confidential information to the Chinese authorities.

The reports suggest that he was in Hong Kong until this week, when he was scheduled to fly to San Francisco. As he landed in the country, he was arrested at the airport.

“Attempt to deliver national defense information and retention of national defense information are both punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine,” informed the official website of the US Department of Justice.

Who is investigating the case?

The case has been investigated by the FBI. The US Army Counterintelligence Command has been providing valuable assistance. Further, the case has been handled by Assistant US Attorney Todd Greenberg for the Western District of Washington and Deputy Chief Matthew J. McKenzie of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.