US Navy Sailor Convicted of Selling Secrets to China
A US Navy sailor has been found guilty in federal court for selling military secrets to China, as announced by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday.
Jinchao Wei, a 25-year-old sailor who used to be stationed at the San Diego Naval Base, faces potential life imprisonment for selling sensitive defense information to a Chinese intelligence agency for $12,000. Wei’s arrest in August 2023 followed nearly 18 months of espionage, during which he provided technical documents, locations of naval vessels, and defense specifications.
US Attorney Adam Gordon remarked that “the defendant’s actions demonstrate a significant betrayal of the trust that comes with being part of the US military.” He further pointed out that by exchanging military secrets for money with the People’s Republic of China, Wei compromised not just the safety of his fellow sailors, but also the broader security of the US and its allies. This conviction serves as a crucial reminder of the DOJ’s commitment to pursuing justice vigorously.
The DOJ did not provide comments regarding the case upon request.
Back in February 2022, Wei was approached by a Chinese agent. Initially, Wei assured a friend that the agent, despite their appearance, wasn’t involved in espionage—but, well, it seems that the situation was indeed suspicious. Despite being advised to sever ties with the agent, he switched to using an encrypted messaging app to exchange sensitive information in return for cash.
According to the DOJ, Wei sold around 60 technical manuals related to US Navy vessels to the intelligence agents, along with numerous photographs and documents pertaining to US Navy operations. Notably, many of these manuals bore clear export control warnings on their covers.
Wei provided details about the specifications of the Essex, including aspects related to its power, steering, weapons control, and various operational controls. To obscure his actions, he even created multiple online accounts.
Interestingly, he referred to his Chinese contact as “Big Brother Andy” and utilized several encrypted methods to maintain secrecy.
Wei’s sentencing is set for December 1, 2025, with the maximum penalty for this sort of espionage being life in prison.
