Navy sailor convicted on six counts of espionage in China-linked case

A U.S. Navy sailor has been convicted on six counts of espionage for transmitting restricted naval information to a Chinese intelligence officer in exchange for about $12,000 over 18 months. The verdict, delivered in a federal court in California, underscores ongoing concerns about insider threats and foreign intelligence efforts targeting U.S. military secrets. Sentencing is set for December 1, and the defendant faces the possibility of life in prison on the espionage-related counts.

Jinchao Wei, 25, a machinist’s mate aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex at Naval Base San Diego, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit espionage, espionage, and unlawful export of defense data, among other charges. He held a security clearance and had access to sensitive information about the Essex’s weapons systems, propulsion, and internal operations. Authorities said Wei was recruited online in February 2022 by an individual who posed as a naval enthusiast but was associated with a Chinese intelligence service. Evidence at trial included photographs, ship movement information, thousands of pages of manuals, and other materials obtained from restricted Navy computer systems.