Jinchao Wei, a former U.S. Navy sailor, was sentenced on Monday to more than 16 years in prison for selling classified technical and operational manuals related to U.S. Navy ships to a Chinese intelligence officer.
Wei, aged 25, received a 200-month sentence following his conviction in August on six counts of espionage and related offenses. The U.S. Justice Department reported that Wei earned over $12,000 for the sensitive information he provided.
Previously serving as an engineer on the USS Essex, Wei was one of two California-based sailors charged with espionage on August 3, 2023. Wenheng Zhao, the other sailor, received a lesser sentence of over two years after pleading guilty to conspiracy charges.
The espionage concerns surrounding Wei reflect ongoing worries among U.S. officials regarding the security threats posed by the Chinese government. Authorities have been increasingly vigilant, bringing criminal cases against Chinese operatives involved in espionage and cyber theft of sensitive governmental and commercial information.
Wei's recruitment occurred through social media in 2022, where he engaged with an intelligence officer who masqueraded as a naval enthusiast affiliated with the state-owned China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation. Despite expressing reservations about the relationship, Wei continued to communicate with the officer, moving conversations to a more secure encrypted messaging platform.
Over 18 months, Wei disclosed to the intelligence officer detailed information regarding the Essex, including the ship's location, defensive capabilities, and sensitive technical manuals. These documents detailed operations of various systems onboard and carried export control warnings.
In a statement to the court prior to sentencing, Wei expressed remorse for his actions, attributing his poor judgment to feelings of isolation and loneliness.
