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San Diego Jury Convicts Navy Sailor of Espionage for Selling Secrets to China

Prosecutors say the case illustrates Chinese intelligence recruiting U.S. service members via social media.

Image
In this aerial photo taken Aug. 2, 2014, the U.S. Navy USS Essex is shown docked near downtown Seattle during the annual Seafair summer festival.
Amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) transits the San Diego Bay, Sept. 8, 2023. Essex is homeported in San Diego conducting a maintenance period to upgrade and refurbish many key systems aboard.

Overview

  • Jinchao “Patrick” Wei, 25, was found guilty on six counts, including Espionage Act offenses and Arms Export Control violations, and was acquitted of naturalization fraud.
  • Prosecutors said Wei was paid more than $12,000 over 18 months to send photos, videos, ship locations and thousands of pages of technical and operational manuals taken from restricted Navy systems.
  • Wei served as a machinist’s mate on the USS Essex and, after being recruited online in February 2022 by a Chinese intelligence officer posing as a naval enthusiast, used encrypted apps, virtual dead drops and burner devices while calling his handler “Big Brother Andy.”
  • Agents arrested Wei in August 2023 as he arrived for work at Naval Base San Diego, and evidence at trial included recorded communications, surveillance and a post-arrest admission that he had sold manuals.
  • Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 1, and officials linked the case to broader PRC targeting of U.S. personnel, noting a related sailor, Wenheng Zhao, pleaded guilty earlier and received a 27-month sentence.