A U.S. Navy sailor was convicted of espionage on Wednesday for selling military secrets to China for $12,000, according to the Department of Justice.
Jinchao Wei, also known as Patrick Wei, faces sentencing on Dec. 1 after a federal jury found him guilty on six espionage-related counts. The case highlights China’s aggressive targeting of U.S. military personnel and underscores the severe consequences for betraying an oath to protect national security.
Wei served as a machinist’s mate aboard the USS Essex at Naval Base San Diego, holding a security clearance that gave him access to sensitive defense information about the ship’s systems.
A Chinese intelligence officer first contacted Wei through social media in Feb. 2022, posing as a naval enthusiast to build the relationship.
Over 18 months, Wei sent photographs, videos, and technical data about Navy vessels to his handler, including ship movement information and weapons capabilities taken from restricted Navy computer systems.
“The defendant, who took an oath to protect our nation and was entrusted with a security clearance as a petty officer in the U.S. Navy, sold out his country for $12,000,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “He violated his oath, betrayed his uniform and fellow sailors, and turned his back on his adopted nation for money.”
The trial lasted five days. Jurors deliberated for one day before reaching their verdict.
Evidence included conversations between Wei and his Chinese handler showing efforts to conceal the operation, with messages revealing specific tasks assigned by the officer and details of Wei’s payments.
Wei was also convicted of violating the Arms Export Control Act, which prohibits exporting defense-related technical data without State Department authorization.
“China continues to aggressively target U.S. military members with and without clearances,” said FBI Counterintelligence Division Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky. “This verdict shows the FBI and our partners will aggressively investigate and hold accountable anyone who threatens U.S. national security.”
The FBI and Naval Criminal Investigative Service led the investigation, with assistance from the State Department and Transportation Security Administration.