A China-born US Navy sailor, Jinchao Wei, was sentenced to 16 years in prison for selling sensitive ship information to the Chinese government. Wei, 25, was labeled a “traitor” and ordered to spend 200 months behind bars by a federal judge in San Diego. The Justice Department announced that Wei had sold national defense information to an intelligence officer working for the People’s Republic of China for $12,000.
Investigators discovered that Wei was recruited by the Chinese foreign intelligence officer, known as “Big Brother Andy,” through social media while he was applying for US citizenship in February 2022. Despite initially being portrayed as a naval enthusiast working for a state-owned company, Wei suspected early on that the man was a Chinese military intelligence officer.
Wei fed the officer photos and videos of the USS Essex, ship locations, and weapons details through an encrypted messaging application between March 2022 and August 2023. He received over $12,000 in payments for spying, including selling technical and operational manuals on US Navy systems to the Chinese intelligence officer.
Wei’s mother was aware of her son’s espionage activities and encouraged him to continue working with Chinese intelligence, believing it could secure him a future job in the Chinese government. The intelligence officer even offered to fly Wei and his mother to China for an in-person meeting.
During Wei’s trial, prosecutors presented evidence of calls, texts, and audio messages between Wei and his Chinese handler, showcasing their communications, secrecy, assigned tasks, cover-up efforts, and payment methods. The handler used encrypted apps, digital dead drops, and provided Wei with new phones and computers to stay hidden.
In a handwritten letter to the judge, Wei begged for leniency, admitting his mistake. His attorneys sought a 30-month sentence, claiming that Wei believed the Chinese intelligence officer was merely a naval enthusiast. Wei was convicted of conspiracy to commit espionage, espionage, and unlawful export of technical data related to defense articles.
Wei was one of two California-based sailors charged with spying for China in 2024. The other defendant, Wenheng Zhao, was sentenced to more than two years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy and receiving a bribe in violation of his official duties.
