Ex-Army sergeant sentenced for trying to give state secrets to China

Joseph Daniel Schmidt pleaded guilty to attempting to deliver classified material to Chinese officials after leaving the military

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A former Army sergeant who once held top secret clearance at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state was sentenced to four years in federal prison for attempting to provide national defense information to China. Joseph Daniel Schmidt, 31, pleaded guilty in June 2025 to attempting to deliver and retain classified material after leaving the Army in 2020.

Why it matters

This case highlights growing concerns about former military personnel with access to sensitive information being recruited or exploited by foreign adversaries like China. It also raises questions about how the military and government can better support the mental health of service members transitioning to civilian life.

The details

Schmidt enlisted in 2015 and served in the Army's 109th Military Intelligence Battalion until 2020, having access to both secret and top secret systems. After leaving the Army, he contacted Chinese consular officials and created multiple documents based on classified material, which he offered to Chinese security services. He also kept a device capable of accessing secure Army networks, which he offered to Chinese officials. Schmidt traveled to Hong Kong in March 2020 and continued corresponding with Chinese contacts before being arrested in San Francisco in October 2023.

  • Schmidt enlisted in the Army in 2015.
  • Schmidt served in the Army's 109th Military Intelligence Battalion until 2020.
  • Schmidt left the Army in 2020.
  • Schmidt traveled to Hong Kong in March 2020.
  • Schmidt was arrested in San Francisco in October 2023.

The players

Joseph Daniel Schmidt

A 31-year-old former Army sergeant who once held top secret clearance at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state.

Charles Neil Floyd

The Acting U.S. Attorney who said it is "unconscionable for a former soldier to put his colleagues and country at risk by peddling secret information and intelligence access to a hostile foreign power."

W. Mike Herrington

The special agent in charge of the FBI's Seattle field office, who said the "FBI and our partners will remain vigilant in our mission to safeguard our nation."

Todd Greenberg

The Assistant U.S. Attorney who said Schmidt "created documents based on classified and national defense information" and "used his training to provide sensitive information to the Chinese security service."

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What they’re saying

“As a retired Army officer, I find it unconscionable for a former soldier to put his colleagues and country at risk by peddling secret information and intelligence access to a hostile foreign power.”

— Charles Neil Floyd, Acting U.S. Attorney (foxnews.com)

“The FBI and our partners will remain vigilant in our mission to safeguard our nation.”

— W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Seattle Field Office (foxnews.com)

“He created documents based on classified and national defense information. He used his training to provide sensitive information to the Chinese security service. He knew what he was doing was wrong. He was doing web searches for such things as 'Can you be extradited for treason'.”

— Todd Greenberg, Assistant U.S. Attorney (foxnews.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Joseph Daniel Schmidt out on bail pending his appeal.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing threat of former military personnel with access to sensitive information being recruited by foreign adversaries like China, as well as the importance of providing robust mental health support to service members transitioning to civilian life.