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A U.S. Navy sailor has been convicted of espionage in an “egregious betrayal” after transmitting classified military information to a Chinese intelligence officer. Jinchao Wei, 25, was found guilty by a federal jury on six charges, including conspiracy to commit espionage and unlawful export of defense data.
Between March 2022 and August 2023, Wei received over $12,000 for sending classified information after being recruited online. He served as a machinist’s mate aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex based at Naval Base San Diego. Wei was initially contacted on February 14, 2022, by someone later identified as a Chinese intelligence officer who pretended to be a naval enthusiast.
Wei told a friend he thought he was “on the radar of a China intelligence organization” because he had contact with an extremely suspicious individual interested in naval ship maintenance cycles. Wei said this was “obviously f*****g espionage.” He was arrested in August 2023 as he arrived for work on the USS Essex and indicted by a federal grand jury.
The government presented evidence including recorded phone calls, electronic messages, and interactions between Wei and his alleged handler, along with testimony from FBI and Naval Criminal Investigative Service agents. Prosecutors argued that Wei was aware of the sensitive nature of the material and made efforts to conceal the activity.
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During his postarrest interview with the FBI, Wei said “I’m screwed.” He explained: “That I’m sharing an unclassified document with him … I’m not supposed to do that.”
The case highlights growing concerns about foreign infiltration into U.S. defense infrastructure. Wei’s information included classified details about the USS Essex’s weapons systems, propulsion mechanisms, and internal operations—data that could compromise sailors and national interests.
**Why It Matters**
Wei faces life imprisonment for the Espionage Act counts; his sentencing was set for December 1 at 9 a.m. in U.S. District Court in San Diego. This verdict may prompt additional security reviews of personnel with access to classified systems, though specific policy responses will depend on Navy and other agency reviews.
**What People Are Saying**
U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon said: “The defendant’s actions represent an egregious betrayal of the trust placed in him as a member of the U.S. military. By trading military secrets for cash, he jeopardized not only his fellow sailors but also the security of the entire nation and our allies.”
Special Agent in Charge Mark Dargis of the FBI’s San Diego Field Office stated: “Today’s conviction demonstrates the lengths to which China will go to undermine our country’s security.”
