US Navy sailor convicted of spying for China
A US navy sailor in California was convicted of espionage for selling the secrets of power to a Chinese agent hired through social media.
25 -year -old Jinchao Wei has been convicted of six charges of conspiracy to espionage, espionage and illegal exports of illegal data about the US navy ships.
US lawyer Adam Gordon, said in a statement after the decision of the decision, “the defendant’s actions, as a member of the US army represents the trust given to him.” He said.
“He traded military secrets for cash to the People’s Republic of China and endangered not only the lives of sailors, but also the safety of all the nation and allies.”
Wei, also known as Patrick Wei, was arrested in August 2023 for espionage charges while arriving to work at the USS ESSEX at USS Essex.
Wei, a citizen of a citizen, served as a friend of the mechanist, gave security permission and was able to access sensitive information about the ships and other ships in the Pacific fleet.
During the week’s hearing, prosecutors presented evidence, including Wei’s phone calls, electronic messages and voice messages that Wei changed with Chinese operator.
Wei described the Chinese theme as “Big Brother Andy” and forced the demands of keeping their relationship secretly by using multiple encrypted applications to communicate and accept payments. Wei also used a new computer and phone by the operator.
A text change between Wei and his mother was presented to show that Wei understood that he understood that he was spying.
“The other Chinese serving in the US Navy are still trying to understand how to make extra money and use taxis. However, secrets are leaking,” Wei wrote to her mother.
He replied: “Good job!”
Wei was approached by a Chinese agent in February 2022 as we were going through a US citizen.
He was first hired by the Chinese intelligence officer through social media, which depicts him as a sea enthusiast working in the Chinese shipbuilding industry of the state.
The evidence showed that Wei sent Essex’s photos and videos, advised the office of various navy ships to the officer, and told about the defense weapons in Essex. He also explained the problems with the ship and other ships.
In exchange for this information, Chinese intelligence officer WeI paid more than $ 12,000 for 18 months. Wei is planned to be sentenced to 1 December and may face life in prison.
Wei could not be reached to comment. BBC reached Wei’s lawyer for a comment.
Wei was arrested in 2023 with Petty Officer Wenheng Zhao, who was arrested on charges of acceptance of more than $ 14,800 to send sensitive photos and videos to a Chinese intelligence officer.
Prosecutors, ZHAO’s “Pacific theater a large -scale maritime exercise, operational orders and electrical diagrams and Okinawa, plans for plans for a radar system for an air mission in Japan,” he said.
Zhao was found guilty last year and was sentenced to 27 months in prison.
