A former United States Navy sailor has been sentenced to more than 16 years in a federal prison for selling sensitive technical manuals to an intelligence officer working for China. The case highlights ongoing concerns about foreign espionage targeting military secrets.
The Conviction and Sentence
On Monday, a federal judge in San Diego sentenced Jinchao Wei, 25, to 200 months behind bars. Wei, who served as an engineer on the amphibious assault ship USS Essex, was convicted by a federal jury in August on six criminal counts, including espionage.
Prosecutors stated that Wei received more than $12,000 in exchange for the classified information he provided. He was one of two California-based sailors charged in August 2023 with passing sensitive military data to China.
How the Espionage Operation Unfolded
According to court evidence, Wei was recruited in 2022 via social media by an intelligence officer who posed as a naval enthusiast employed by the state-owned China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation. Prosecutors revealed that Wei even told a friend the contact was "extremely suspicious" and the situation was "quite obviously" espionage.
Despite this awareness and his friend's advice to cut off contact, Wei continued the relationship. He moved conversations to an encrypted messaging app he believed was more secure.
Over 18 months, Wei sent the officer photos and videos of the USS Essex, provided details on the locations of various Navy ships, and disclosed information about the ship's defensive weapons. Most critically, he sold the officer 60 technical and operating manuals. These documents included manuals for weapons control systems, aircraft, and deck elevators, and contained export control warnings.
Broader Context and the Other Case
The other sailor charged, Wenheng Zhao, pleaded guilty and was sentenced in 2024 to over two years in prison for conspiracy and receiving a bribe. U.S. officials have repeatedly warned about the espionage threat posed by the Chinese government, pointing to numerous cases of stolen sensitive information.
The USS Essex, where Wei held the rank of petty officer second class, is a key asset designed to transport and support a Marine Corps landing force of over 2,000 troops during assaults.
In a letter to the judge before sentencing, Wei apologized, blaming "introversion and loneliness" for clouding his judgment. He stated he should not have shared information with someone he considered a friend, acknowledging the severe breach of trust and security.
