Army Sergeant Pleads Guilty to Selling National Defense Secrets to China for $42,000

An Army intelligence officer has pleaded guilty to charges related to selling national defense secrets to China for a total of $42,000. The officer held a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearance in the Army, which was allegedly used to obtain and transmit national defense information to China.

Charges and Guilty Plea

The officer, whose name has not been disclosed, was charged with conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defense information, exporting technical data related to defense articles without a license, conspiracy to export defense articles without a license, and bribery of a public official by a federal grand jury indictment earlier this year.

Impact on National Security

This unauthorized disclosure of national defense secrets has raised concerns about the impact on national security. The officer abused their access to restricted government systems to sell sensitive military information to a foreign national, putting national security at risk for personal financial gain. The officer's guilty plea serves as a stark reminder that individuals who betray their sworn oath for personal gain will be held accountable.

Disclosure of Sensitive Information

The officer sold classified information and documents to an individual in Hong Kong, believed to have contact with the Chinese government. The list of sensitive documents shared with the alleged conspirator includes information on the HH-60 helicopter, F-22A fighter aircraft, HIMARS rockets, and obtained information on the Chinese military's preparedness.

Possible Maximum Sentence

If all listed charges were to be sentenced at their maximum penalties, the officer could serve 65 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence on January 23, 2025.

The case is being prosecuted by three attorneys from the National Security Division and the Middle District of Tennessee. The U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command and the FBI are also investigating the case.