San Diego, California – A former United States Navy sailor, Jinchao Wei, has been sentenced to more than 16 years in federal prison after being convicted of espionage for providing sensitive US Navy information to Chinese intelligence operatives. Wei, 25, was sentenced to 200 months in prison on Monday by a federal judge in San Diego.

Details of the Espionage Case

Wei, who served as an engineer aboard the USS Essex, was found guilty of six criminal charges, including espionage. Prosecutors said he sold over 60 technical and operational manuals related to naval ships, weapons systems, aircraft, and deck elevators to an intelligence officer working for the Chinese government.

According to the US Department of Justice, Wei received more than $12,000 in payments for this classified information. The materials contained export control warnings and included details on the operations of the USS Essex and similar amphibious assault ships.

Wei’s actions came under investigation after he was recruited via social media in 2022 by an individual posing as a naval enthusiast connected to the state-owned China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation. Despite warnings from a friend that the individual was “suspicious” and potentially engaged in espionage, Wei continued communications and later shifted to encrypted messaging apps he believed were secure.

Timeline of Espionage Activities

Over 18 months, Wei reportedly:

• Sent photos and videos of the USS Essex to the Chinese operative.
• Provided the location and movements of multiple US Navy ships.
• Shared technical manuals and advised on weapons systems, aircraft, and deck elevators.
• Sold highly sensitive military information, enabling foreign intelligence access to classified operational data.

Wei held the rank of petty officer second class, an enlisted position in the US Navy, responsible for engineering operations on board the Essex, which can transport and support over 2,000 Marines during air and amphibious assaults.

Related Cases and US Concerns

Wei’s case is one of several recent espionage prosecutions involving Chinese intelligence threats to the United States. Another sailor from California, Wenheng Zhao, was sentenced to over two years in prison in 2024 after pleading guilty to conspiracy and bribery charges related to sharing sensitive Navy information.

For years, US officials have highlighted espionage threats from China, pursuing criminal cases against intelligence operatives accused of stealing sensitive government and commercial data, including through cyberattacks and recruitment of insiders.

Wei’s Defense and Apology

In a letter to the judge before sentencing, Wei expressed remorse, citing “introversion and loneliness” as factors that clouded his judgment. He apologized for trusting the intelligence officer, whom he had initially considered a friend, and acknowledged that sharing sensitive information was a severe mistake.

The court’s ruling reflects the serious national security implications of Wei’s actions, emphasizing the importance of protecting classified US Navy and defense information from foreign intelligence threats.

Strategic Implications

The case underscores ongoing cyber and human espionage concerns faced by the US military, particularly regarding the Chinese government’s intelligence operations. It highlights vulnerabilities within the armed forces and the need for stricter monitoring of social media interactions, employee behavior, and access to classified information.

Experts note that such incidents could compromise US military operational security, revealing sensitive details about ship movements, weapons systems, and tactical capabilities to foreign adversaries.