On Wednesday, a U.S. Navy sailor was convicted of espionage and other federal charges for providing sensitive military information to a Chinese intelligence officer, federal officials stated.
According to evidence presented at trial, Jinchao “Patrick” Wei, a machinist’s mate on the amphibious assault ship U.S.S. Essex, held a U.S. security clearance that gave him access to restricted defense data.
Prosecutors said Wei was recruited in February 2022 through social media by someone posing as a naval enthusiast, who was in fact a Chinese intelligence officer. Over the next 18 months, Wei sent photographs, videos, and technical details about the Essex’s systems and other Navy ships, much of it taken from restricted Navy computer systems. In exchange, he received more than $12,000.
Evidence included conversations and messages between Wei and his Chinese handler that outlined tasks, payments, and efforts to conceal their activities.
In addition to two espionage charges, Wei was also convicted on four counts of conspiring to violate and violating the Arms Export Control Act, which prohibits exporting defense-related technical data without State Department approval.
The case was investigated by the FBI and NCIS, with assistance from the U.S. Department of State and the Transportation Security Administration.