June 18: Joseph Daniel Schmidt, a former US Army Sergeant whose last duty post was Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) in western Washington, pleaded guilty to attempt to deliver national defense information and retention of national defense information. He faces up to ten years in prison when sentenced on Sep 9, 2025.
Schmidt was an active-duty soldier from Jan 2015 to Jan 2020. His primary assignment was at JBLM in the 109th Military Intelligence Battalion. In his role, Schmidt had access to SECRET and TOP SECRET information. After his separation from the military, Schmidt reached out to the 
Consulate in Turkey and later, the Chinese security services via email offering national defense information.
In Mar 2020, Schmidt traveled to Hong Kong and continued his efforts to provide intelligence with classified information he obtained from his military service. He created multiple lengthy documents describing various “high level secrets” he was offering to the government. He retained a device that allows for access to secure military computer networks and offered the device to authorities to assist them in efforts to gain access to such networks.
Schmidt remained in China, primarily Hong Kong, until Oct 2023, when he flew to San Francisco. 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.
justice.gov/opa/pr/former-
Consulate in Turkey and later, the Chinese security services via email offering national defense information.
In Mar 2020, Schmidt traveled to Hong Kong and continued his efforts to provide intelligence with classified information he obtained from his military service. He created multiple lengthy documents describing various “high level secrets” he was offering to the government. He retained a device that allows for access to secure military computer networks and offered the device to authorities to assist them in efforts to gain access to such networks.
Schmidt remained in China, primarily Hong Kong, until Oct 2023, when he flew to San Francisco. 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.
justice.gov/opa/pr/former-
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