While serving at a U.S. military base, Chinese-American man Jinchao Wei received $12,000 (about 50,000 ringgit) for selling military secrets to China. Prosecutors indicated he may face life imprisonment.
According to reports from CNA, after a jury found Wei guilty on six counts on the 20th, the Justice Department emphasized it will severely punish such acts of treason in the future. The judge will sentence Wei in December.
This incident dates back to February 2022, when a Chinese intelligence officer, claiming to be a “naval enthusiast,” contacted Chinese-born Jinchao Wei (pronounced Jinchao Wei) via social media. At that time, he was serving as a sailor at the San Diego Naval Base in California.
● Arrested in August 2023
Following requests by the Chinese intelligence officer, Wei sent large quantities of information about the amphibious assault ship USS Essex, including photos, videos, route movements, technical manuals, and weapon performance, until his arrest in August 2023.
According to evidence presented at trial, Wei once served as a machinist aboard the USS Essex, assigned to the Pacific Fleet, and held a security clearance allowing him access to sensitive defense information on the Essex's various systems. Besides selling information related to this vessel, he also provided other classified information about ships obtained from U.S. Navy-controlled computer systems.
● Prosecutors: Defendant’s mother was aware and encouraging
Prosecutors said that when Wei visited his mother in Wisconsin for Christmas 2022, she was aware of his arrangement and encouraged him to continue assisting the Chinese intelligence officer, as it might help him secure an official position in the Chinese Communist Party after retiring from the Navy.
The Chinese intelligence officer told Wei that the Chinese government was willing to provide funding for Wei and his mother to fly to China to meet in person, and asked Wei to buy computers and phones to transmit information, with costs to be reimbursed by the Chinese government. Wei had searched online for tickets to China.
During the trial, prosecutors presented conversations and messages between Wei and his Chinese contact, showing discussions about covering their tracks, carrying out tasks, and methods of receiving payment.
In addition to two espionage charges, Wei was convicted of four counts involving violating the Arms Export Control Act, which prohibits individuals from deliberately exporting technical data related to defense articles without authorization from the State Department.