Sailor of the US Navy found guilty of spying for China

An American navy in California was found guilty of espionage for having sold secrets to a Chinese agent who recruited him via social media.

Jinchao Wei, 25, was found guilty of six accusations, including spying, conspiracy in order to commit spying and illegal export of classified data on the ships of the US Navy.

He was paid more than $ 12,000 (£ 8,920) over a period of 18 months by a Chinese intelligence officer who approached him in February 2022 for more information on the USS Essex, on which he sat, as well as other naval ships.

Wei, also known as Patrick Wei, was arrested in August 2023 for charges of spying on his arrival to work on the amphibious assault ship.

“The actions of the accused represent a blatant betrayal of the trust who is a member of the American army,” American lawyer Adam Gordon said in a statement after reading the verdict.

“By exchanging military secrets to the People’s Republic of China for money, he compromised not only the life of his sea colleagues, but also the security of the whole nation and our allies.”

A naturalized American citizen, Wei was a companion in a machine designer, held security authorization and had access to sensitive information on the ship and other ships in the Pacific fleet.

During his one -week trial, prosecutors presented evidence, including telephone conversations, email messages and audio messages that Wei had exchanged with its Chinese manager.

Wei called his Chinese contact “Big Brother Andy” and forced his requests to keep their relationship secret using several encrypted applications to communicate and accept payments. Wei also used a new computer and phone provided by its manager.

An exchange of text between Wei and his mother was presented to show that he understood that he was committing espionage.

“Other Chinese services in the US Navy are still trying to understand how to earn additional money and driving taxis. While I just flee secrets,” said Wei to his mother.

She replied: “Good job!”

Wei was approached by a Chinese agent when he was going through the process of becoming an American citizen.

He was recruited via social media by the Chinese intelligence officer, who first portrayed himself as a naval enthusiast who worked for the state company China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation.

The evidence has shown that Wei had sent photographs and videos of ESSEX, advised the location of various ships of the American navy and described defensive weapons aboard the Essex. He also described problems with his ship and other ships.

Wei should be sentenced on December 1 and could incur life prison.

Wei could not be joined to comment. The BBC approached its lawyer for comments.

Wei was arrested alongside Master of Master Wenheng Zhao, who was arrested for accepting more than $ 14,800 for sending photos and videos sensitive to a Chinese intelligence officer.

The prosecutors said that Zhao had transmitted “plans for a large -scale maritime training exercise in the Pacific theater, operational orders and electrical diagrams and plans for a radar system oriented towards the ground / air task located in Okinawa, Japan”.

Zhao was found guilty last year and sentenced to 27 months in prison.