Former US Navy Sailor Sentenced to 16 Years for Passing Ship Secrets to Chinese Intelligence
A former US Navy sailor has been sentenced to more than 16 years in prison after being convicted of selling sensitive military information to an intelligence operative linked to China, in one of the most serious espionage cases involving the US military in recent years.
A federal judge in San Diego sentenced Jinchao Wei, 25, to 200 months behind bars after a jury found him guilty of multiple charges, including espionage. Prosecutors said Wei received more than $12,000 in exchange for providing confidential technical and operational materials related to US naval vessels and defense systems.
Wei served as an engineer aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex and was among two sailors based in California charged in 2023 with sharing classified military information with foreign intelligence. The second sailor, Wenheng Zhao, was sentenced last year after pleading guilty to conspiracy and accepting bribes in violation of his official duties.
According to court records, Wei was first approached in 2022 through social media by an individual who claimed to be a naval enthusiast working for a Chinese state-owned shipbuilding company. Investigators later determined the person was acting as an intelligence officer seeking access to sensitive military data.
Despite expressing concerns to a friend that the contact appeared suspicious and could be tied to espionage, Wei continued communicating with the individual. Prosecutors said he later moved the conversations to an encrypted messaging platform, believing it would reduce the risk of detection.
Over the next 18 months, Wei shared photographs and videos of naval vessels, provided information on the locations of US ships, and discussed defensive capabilities and onboard systems. Authorities said the material could have seriously compromised US military readiness and endangered personnel.
US officials have repeatedly warned about increasing foreign intelligence efforts targeting American service members, particularly through online platforms and social media. In recent years, federal prosecutors have brought multiple cases involving the theft of military, technological, and commercial secrets linked to foreign governments.
At sentencing, the court emphasized the seriousness of betraying national trust and the long-term damage such actions can cause to national security. Prosecutors said the lengthy prison term reflects both the gravity of the crimes and the need to deter others from engaging in similar conduct.
The case underscores growing concerns in Washington over espionage risks within the armed forces and highlights renewed efforts by authorities to strengthen counterintelligence measures across the military.
