Additional Coverage:
- US Navy sailor convicted of espionage for sharing sensitive military information with China (cnn.com)
Navy Sailor Convicted of Espionage in San Diego
San Diego, CA – A US Navy sailor was convicted of espionage on Wednesday for selling sensitive information to a Chinese intelligence officer. Jinchao Wei, a machinist’s mate stationed aboard the USS Essex, faces sentencing on December 1st.
The conviction follows a guilty verdict on charges of conspiracy to commit espionage and unlawful export of defense-related technical data. Wei was acquitted of a separate charge of naturalization fraud.
US Attorney Adam Gordon stated that Wei’s actions represent “an egregious betrayal of trust,” jeopardizing the safety of fellow sailors, national security, and allies. Gordon emphasized the Justice Department’s commitment to prosecuting such cases.
Wei was arrested on August 2nd at Naval Base San Diego. While initially pleading not guilty, he later confessed to selling technical and mechanical manuals during a post-arrest FBI interview.
According to the Justice Department, Wei was recruited via social media in February 2022. Over 18 months, he provided photos, videos of the USS Essex, ship locations, and thousands of pages of restricted technical data to a Chinese intelligence officer, receiving over $12,000 in return.
This case follows a similar incident involving another California-based sailor, Wenheng Zhao, who was sentenced to over two years in prison last year for conspiring with Chinese intelligence and accepting a bribe.