Jinchao Wei, a sailor on the USS Essex, has been convicted of espionage and faces severe sentencing for leaking classified information to China in exchange for money.**
US Navy Sailor Jinchao Wei Found Guilty of Espionage for China**
US Navy Sailor Jinchao Wei Found Guilty of Espionage for China**
A California-based sailor sold U.S. Navy secrets to a Chinese agent via social media, jeopardizing national security.**
In a significant case of military espionage, a U.S. Navy sailor named Jinchao Wei has been convicted for selling sensitive information to a Chinese intelligence agent. The 25-year-old, who operated on the USS Essex, was found guilty of six charges, including conspiracy to commit espionage, after a trial that revealed his troubling interactions with foreign operatives online.
U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon condemned Wei's actions as a severe violation of trust, stating that they endangered the lives of fellow servicemembers and national security at large. Wei, also known as Patrick Wei, was arrested upon reporting for duty in August 2023.
As a machinist's mate with a security clearance, Wei had direct access to classified data regarding the Navy's Pacific operations. Prosecutors presented compelling evidence during the weeklong trial, including numerous digital communications between Wei and his Chinese contact, whom he referred to as "Big Brother Andy." With a mix of encrypted messaging apps, Wei coordinated and received payment for the secrets he divulged, which included photographs, videos, and detailed assessments of Navy ships and their armaments.
In a revealing text exchange with his mother, Wei indicated his awareness of the illegality of his actions, boasting about "leaking secrets" for cash. He was recruited by the Chinese agent in February 2022, during his citizenship application process, when he was initially contacted under the pretense of shared naval interests. Over 18 months, Wei accepted more than $12,000 for his betrayals.
Following Wei's arrest, another sailor, Petty Officer Wenheng Zhao, was also implicated in similar espionage activities. Zhao was found guilty last year after transmitting sensitive operational data and plans for Pacific military exercises. He was sentenced to 27 months in prison. Wei, facing a maximum life sentence, is scheduled for sentencing on December 1, and his case underscores the ongoing challenges the U.S. military faces regarding insider threats and foreign espionage tactics.
U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon condemned Wei's actions as a severe violation of trust, stating that they endangered the lives of fellow servicemembers and national security at large. Wei, also known as Patrick Wei, was arrested upon reporting for duty in August 2023.
As a machinist's mate with a security clearance, Wei had direct access to classified data regarding the Navy's Pacific operations. Prosecutors presented compelling evidence during the weeklong trial, including numerous digital communications between Wei and his Chinese contact, whom he referred to as "Big Brother Andy." With a mix of encrypted messaging apps, Wei coordinated and received payment for the secrets he divulged, which included photographs, videos, and detailed assessments of Navy ships and their armaments.
In a revealing text exchange with his mother, Wei indicated his awareness of the illegality of his actions, boasting about "leaking secrets" for cash. He was recruited by the Chinese agent in February 2022, during his citizenship application process, when he was initially contacted under the pretense of shared naval interests. Over 18 months, Wei accepted more than $12,000 for his betrayals.
Following Wei's arrest, another sailor, Petty Officer Wenheng Zhao, was also implicated in similar espionage activities. Zhao was found guilty last year after transmitting sensitive operational data and plans for Pacific military exercises. He was sentenced to 27 months in prison. Wei, facing a maximum life sentence, is scheduled for sentencing on December 1, and his case underscores the ongoing challenges the U.S. military faces regarding insider threats and foreign espionage tactics.
