Ex-US Navy Sailor Sentenced To 200 Months For ‘Selling Secrets’ To China

The United States Department of Justice, on Tuesday, announced that a former US Navy sailor has been convicted of espionage.

Jinchao Wei was sentenced to 200 months in federal prison for selling sensitive national defence information to an intelligence officer working for the People’s Republic of China.

Wei, 25, also known as Patrick Wei, was convicted by a federal jury in August 2025 following a five-day trial.

He was arrested in August 2023 as he arrived for duty aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex at Naval Base San Diego, home of the US Pacific Fleet. Prosecutors said Wei received more than $12,000 in exchange for classified and export-controlled military information.

“Members of the United States military swear to support and defend the Constitution of the United States,” Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said.

“This active-duty U.S. Navy sailor betrayed his country and compromised the national security of the United States. The Justice Department will not tolerate this behaviour.”

According to the Justice Department, Wei was charged with six offences, including conspiracy to commit espionage, espionage, and unlawful export of technical defence data in violation of the Arms Export Control Act.

He was acquitted of one count of naturalisation fraud. Evidence showed that Wei, a machinist’s mate with a US security clearance, had access to sensitive information on the Essex’s weapons, propulsion and desalination systems.

“Wei swore loyalty to the United States when he joined the Navy and reaffirmed that oath when he became a citizen,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg.

“He made a mockery of these commitments when he chose to endanger our Nation and our servicemembers by selling U.S. military secrets to a Chinese intelligence officer for personal profit.”

Investigators said Wei was recruited on February 14, 2022, via social media by a Chinese intelligence officer posing as a naval enthusiast. Despite recognising the suspicious nature of the contact, Wei continued the relationship.

Between March 2022 and his arrest in August 2023, Wei transmitted thousands of pages of technical manuals, as well as photographs and videos of US Navy vessels, including at least 60 operating manuals that contained export-control warnings.

In one instance, he sold more than 30 detailed manuals covering ship systems such as weapons control, power, steering and aircraft elevators. In exchange, he received payments over a period of 18 months.

“Wei betrayed the trust placed in him as a member of the U.S. Navy by knowingly transmitting sensitive military information to a Chinese intelligence officer,” said FBI Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky.

“This sentencing demonstrates the FBI’s unwavering commitment to protect sensitive national defence information.”

Court records showed Wei took deliberate steps to conceal his actions, using multiple encrypted apps, deleting messages, and employing digital “dead drops.”

During his post-arrest interview, Wei admitted to his crimes, telling agents he knew his actions were wrong.