A Virginia State Department employee was caught in an espionage scheme that compromised national security.

According to The National Pulse, Michael Charles Schena, 42, of Alexandria, Virginia, was sentenced to four years in prison for selling classified information to individuals he believed were Chinese government operatives.

The Department of Justice confirmed that Schena's espionage activities began in April 2022 when he started communicating with people posing as international consultants.

Calculated Betrayal Leads to Arrest

The State Department employee knowingly provided sensitive government information despite clear signs the recipients worked for Chinese intelligence. Schena traveled to Peru in August 2024 for a clandestine meeting where he received $10,000 and a special phone to continue the information exchange.

Using the provided device, Schena photographed multiple classified documents marked SECRET while at his workplace in October 2024. His actions were captured on surveillance footage as he attempted to transmit the sensitive materials to his Chinese contacts.

FBI agents intervened before Schena could send his latest batch of classified photos, seizing the phone and taking him into custody. The Department of Justice emphasized that his actions represented a severe breach of his Top-Secret security clearance.

Prosecution Sends Strong Message

Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg delivered a stern rebuke during sentencing, highlighting the gravity of Schena's betrayal. The prosecutor's statement emphasized how Schena had squandered his career and violated his country's trust.

The case has drawn attention to ongoing concerns about Chinese espionage efforts targeting U.S. government employees. Security experts note that Schena's actions fit a pattern of China attempting to recruit American officials with access to classified information.

The DOJ is using this case to warn other potential insider threats about the serious consequences of espionage. Officials stressed that selling state secrets will result in prison time regardless of the perpetrator's position.

Investigation Reveals Detailed Plot

The investigation uncovered that Schena initiated contact through online platforms with individuals claiming to represent consulting firms. Despite obvious red flags indicating Chinese government involvement, he proceeded with the illegal arrangement.

Prosecutors presented evidence showing Schena's deliberate efforts to avoid detection while gathering classified materials. His methods included using the specialized phone provided by his handlers and carefully timing his document photography sessions.

The FBI's surveillance operation documented multiple instances of Schena accessing and photographing sensitive information. Agents moved to arrest him only after gathering substantial evidence of his espionage activities.

Why This Story Matters

This case highlights how a single insider can endanger national security by leaking classified information. It raises alarms over the vulnerability of secured government systems and stresses the importance of internal checks. It also reflects how foreign state actors can exploit American vulnerabilities through online manipulation.

Conclusion

Michael Charles Schena, a U.S. State Department employee from Alexandria, Virginia, has been sentenced to four years in prison for conspiring to share classified information with individuals believed to be working for China. Beginning in April 2022, his activities included financial exchanges, an in-person meeting in Peru, and the transmission of documents using a cellphone provided by foreign agents.

Schena managed to leak at least 11 SECRET documents before federal agents arrested him in early 2025. Captured on video photographing his final set of documents, he was taken into custody before they could be shared. The Justice Department condemned the betrayal, warning others of the grave consequences of such actions. A