The Department of Justice made a significant announcement on September 4 regarding a former State Department employee who was sentenced for espionage. Michael Charles Schena, a 42-year-old from Alexandria, Virginia, was convicted of conspiring to send classified information to agents of the People’s Republic of China. The DOJ’s press release detailed how Schena engaged in a series of communications with individuals he believed were associated with foreign consulting firms, but who were actually working on behalf of the Chinese government.
Beginning in April 2022, Schena started providing sensitive government information in exchange for monetary compensation. Despite receiving clear indications of the nature of his contacts, he continued his behavior, believing he was engaging with legitimate business interests. The DOJ indicated that Schena’s actions didn’t just stop with messaging; he took more dangerous steps in furthering these illicit dealings.
In an alarming twist, Schena traveled to Peru in August 2024, where he met someone who handed him $10,000 and a cellphone intended for communications with his handlers. By October 2024, Schena was using this cellphone to take photographs of classified documents while at work, transmitting at least four documents that were classified at the SECRET level.
Fortunately, Schena’s actions did not go unnoticed. The Trump Administration’s efforts led to him being caught before he could complete his misconduct. Surveillance footage captured him photographing additional classified documents in February 2025. The FBI intervened before Schena could send these documents to China, leading to his arrest. He faced the consequence of four years in prison for his betrayal of trust towards the U.S. government.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg commented on the situation, stating, “The defendant threw away his career, betrayed his country, and abused the trust the United States placed in him by granting his Top-Secret security clearance.” The message was clear: those who endanger national security and exploit their positions can expect severe consequences.
This case serves as a sobering reminder of the threats posed by espionage and the importance of safeguarding classified information. It highlights how individuals can be lured into committing such offenses under the pretense of legitimate work. The DOJ’s vigorous response emphasizes the ongoing commitment to maintaining national security and the consequences awaiting those who endanger it.
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