A federal judge in San Diego sentenced Jinchao Wei, a 25-year-old former U.S. Navy sailor, to more than 16 years in prison for espionage, following his conviction for selling sensitive technical manuals to a Chinese intelligence officer. In total, Wei was sentenced to 200 months after a jury found him guilty of multiple espionage-related charges.
Wei, who served on the USS Essex, was reportedly recruited via social media in 2022 by an intelligence officer posing as a naval enthusiast associated with China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation. He sold classified information for over $12,000, defying warnings from a friend who advised him to cease communications with the individual.
Despite knowing the risk, Wei continued sharing sensitive data, illustrating a troubling pattern of behavior that culminated in the sale of over 60 military manuals related to the Essex's operations and weaponry. These manuals included details on crucial systems, while Wei also provided the intelligence officer with photos and the locations of various Navy ships.
In a letter to the court, Wei expressed regret, attributing his actions to feelings of isolation and poor judgment. His case is part of a larger trend of increased scrutiny by U.S. authorities on espionage threats posed by foreign entities, particularly China, raising alarms over national security implications.
