A 25-year-old US Navy sailor, Jinchao Wei, has been found guilty of espionage related to selling confidential military secrets to a Chinese agent who contacted him via social media. Wei was convicted on six counts that include espionage, conspiracy to commit espionage, and the unauthorized export of classified data regarding US Navy vessels. Following the verdict, US Attorney Adam Gordon condemned Wei's actions, describing them as an "egregious betrayal" that endangered not just his fellow navy personnel but also the entire nation and its allies.
Wei, a naturalized US citizen, worked as a machinist's mate aboard the USS Essex and held security clearance allowing him access to sensitive operational details about naval vessels in the Pacific Fleet. He was arrested in August 2023 as he arrived for his shift on the USS Essex. Documented evidence presented during his weeklong trial included phone records, electronic communications, and audio messages exchanged with his Chinese handler.
The evidence revealed Wei referred to his Chinese contact as "Big Brother Andy" and utilized various encrypted apps to communicate, maintain secrecy, and receive payments. Wei even texted his mother about his clandestine activities, admitting to "leaking secrets for money." He explained that while he was profiting from espionage, others in similar situations were resorting to taxi driving, showcasing his awareness of the gravity of his actions.
Wei's recruitment by the Chinese agent began in February 2022 while he was becoming a US citizen, with the agent initially posing as a naval enthusiast affiliated with the state-run China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation. Over 18 months, Wei provided the handler with photographs, videos of the USS Essex, detailed information about the location of various Navy ships, and insights into the ship's defensive armaments and underlying issues.
In return for this sensitive intelligence, Wei received more than $12,000. He is scheduled for sentencing on December 1, where he could potentially face life imprisonment. Although Wei could not be reached for comment, his legal representation has been contacted by the press.
This case follows the arrest of another US Navy member, Petty Officer Wenheng Zhao, who was charged with receiving over $14,800 for providing confidential information to a Chinese intelligence operative. Zhao previously transmitted sensitive documents related to military exercises and operations in the Pacific, leading to a conviction and a 27-month prison sentence last year.
