Don’t miss the full story from our staff writers, whose reportage is the basis of this article.
A former Navy sailor based in San Diego has been sentenced to more than 16 years in prison for espionage after being convicted of providing classified military secrets to China. Jinchao Wei, 25, who was born in China and served as a machinist mate aboard the USS Essex, an amphibious assault vessel, was found guilty in August of six crimes including espionage, conspiracy to commit espionage, and unlawful export of technical defense data.
According to the Justice Department, Wei was recruited in February 2022 through social media by a Chinese intelligence officer who posed as a naval enthusiast working for the state-owned China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation. Despite warnings from a friend and his own suspicions that he was dealing with Chinese intelligence, Wei moved their communications to an encrypted messaging application and began supplying sensitive information.
Between March 2022 and his August 2023 arrest, Wei transmitted photographs and videos of the Essex, disclosed the locations of various Navy ships, and described the vessel’s defensive weapons systems. He provided thousands of pages of technical and operational information stolen from restricted Navy computer systems, including at least 30 technical and operating manuals covering power, steering, weapons control, aircraft elevators, and damage control systems.
Wei held a security clearance that gave him access to national defense information about the Essex’s weapons, propulsion, and desalination systems. He was paid more than $12,000 over 18 months for the classified material. Chinese intelligence also funded travel to China for Wei and his mother.
Retired Navy officials testified during the trial that the compromised information would enable the People’s Liberation Army to understand how to operate U.S. amphibious assault ships and potentially “leapfrog” in building similar vessels. The data could also help China more effectively target American warships in potential conflicts, particularly amid heightened tensions over Taiwan.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that Wei “betrayed his country and compromised the national security of the United States.” Prosecutors had sought a 22-year sentence, describing his crimes as “deliberate, continuous, and deeply damaging.”
In a handwritten letter to the judge, Wei expressed remorse, calling himself “stupid, naïve and careless” and apologizing for his actions. His mother noted in a pre-sentencing letter that he had moved to Wisconsin from China in 2016 and had become a devoted Christian while in custody. Wei held the rank of E4 during his naval service.
Read more: Ex-Navy sailor sentenced to prison as spy for China
This article is written with the assistance of generative artificial intelligence based solely on Washington Times original reporting and wire services. For more information, please read our AI policy or contact Steve Fink, Director of Artificial Intelligence, at sfink@washingtontimes.com
The Washington Times AI Ethics Newsroom Committee can be reached at aispotlight@washingtontimes.com.
