A Navy sailor has been convicted of selling military secrets to China, facing a potential life sentence. On Thursday, a jury in San Diego found Jinchao “Patrick” Wei, 25, guilty on six counts including espionage and conspiracy. Prosecutors claimed Wei used his position as a machinist’s mate on the USS Essex to gather sensitive Navy information and share it with a Chinese intelligence officer. Wei was recruited in February 2022 and allegedly received $12,000 over a period of 18 months.
Wei held a security clearance, granting him access to crucial information regarding the Essex’s weapons systems. The espionage-related charges alone could lead to a life sentence and fines reaching $250,000. Each count regarding violations of the Arms Export Control Act could carry a 20-year prison term and fines up to $1 million.
The jury considered evidence that Wei had concerns about his interactions with the Chinese operative, stating he was aware that it was “quite obviously f***ing espionage,” according to the Department of Justice. Yet, he still engaged in illicit spying, taking photos of Navy vessels and detailing their weaknesses.
His attorney, Sean Jones, acknowledged that Wei’s actions were misguided but portrayed him as “young and naive,” claiming there was no intention to harm the United States. “It was never disputed that Jinchao made numerous errors in judgment,” Jones noted. He suggested that Wei’s actions were minor, referencing “very low-level information” in exchange for easy money.
From March 2022 until his arrest in August 2023, Wei allegedly provided “thousands of pages” of technical data on U.S. surface warfare ships to the Chinese agent, which he obtained from restricted Navy computer systems. U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon described Wei’s actions as an “egregious betrayal of the trust placed in him.” He emphasized that Wei compromised not just the safety of his fellow sailors but the security of the nation and its allies by trading valuable military information for cash.
The jurors’ decision serves as a stark reminder of the aggression with which the Department of Justice intends to pursue treasonous acts. “The jury’s verdict serves as a crucial reminder that the Department of Justice will vigorously prosecute traitors,” Gordon said.
Wei’s sentencing is set for December 1. His attorney insisted that Wei has no loyalty to China, stating, “If there is only one thing I can make clear, it is that Jinchao loves America.” Jones characterized the information Wei sold as outdated and irrelevant, arguing it had “absolutely no effect on national security.”
This case is part of a broader pattern of espionage involving Chinese nationals. Recently, two others were arrested for attempting to obtain intelligence on U.S. Navy bases and personnel while recruiting military members to assist the Chinese Ministry of State Security.
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