According to the US Justice Department, a former US Army sergeant has been charged with trying to transmit confidential national defence information to Chinese authorities.
Joseph Daniel Schmidt, a resident of Washington State, was detained on Friday on suspicion of trying to give China information on its defences after he had left the military.
The 29-year-old was a member of the 109th Military Intelligence Battalion from 2015 to 2020, giving him access to top-secret intelligence during that time.
The prosecution claims that Mr. Schmidt contacted the Chinese consulate in Turkey and the Chinese security services after he left the military and offered information regarding US defence issues.
Additionally, according to the prosecution, Mr. Schmidt journeyed to Hong Kong in 2020, not long after he had left the military, and there he allegedly offered Chinese authorities a gadget that would provide them access to US military data.
On Friday, Mr. Schmidt was stopped as he attempted to board a flight from Hong Kong to San Francisco.
He could receive a $250,000 fine in addition to up to 10 years in jail if convicted of each offence.
The FBI and US Army Counterintelligence Command are reportedly looking into the matter.
As stated by Assistant Attorney General for National Security Matthew G. Olsen, “Persons entrusted with national defence information have a continuing duty to protect that information beyond their government service and certainly beyond our borders.”
Those who break that obligation will be found and held accountable, according to the National Security Division.
The Western District of Washington US Attorney Tessa M. Gorman continued, “Members of our military take an oath to defend our nation and the Constitution.
“In that context, the alleged actions of this former military member are shocking – not only his attempts to provide information for national defence, but also data that would help a foreign foe break into Department of Defence secure computer networks.”
Mr. Schmidt is not the only military person this year accused of trying to leak secret material.
Two US Navy personnel were detained during the summer on suspicion of spying for China.
A large number of documents, pictures, and films supposedly revealing ship operations were given to authorities by Jinchao Wei, a former crew member of the USS Essex, an amphibious ship stationed in San Diego.
Wenheng Zhao, a petty officer who worked at a US naval installation close to Los Angeles, is charged with spying for China for almost two years.
Jack Teixeira of the Massachusetts Air National Guard was also detained in April for allegedly posting sensitive US intelligence online.