Two U.S. Navy Sailors Arrested for Providing Sensitive Military Information to China
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Two U.S. Navy sailors have been arrested and accused of providing sensitive military information to China, including details on wartime exercises, naval operations, and critical technical material, federal officials announced on Thursday.
The sailors, who are based in California, were charged separately but with similar moves to provide sensitive intelligence to China. It is unclear if the two sailors were courted or paid by the same Chinese intelligence officer as part of a larger scheme. Federal officials declined to comment on whether the sailors were aware of each other’s actions at a news conference in San Diego.
The cases are indicative of the espionage threat posed by the Chinese government, as expressed by U.S. officials in recent years. The U.S. has brought criminal cases against Beijing intelligence operatives who have stolen sensitive government and commercial information through illegal hacking.
These recent cases also come after the arrest of a Massachusetts Air National Guardsman in April, who was charged with leaking classified military documents on Discord, a social media platform, about Russia’s war in Ukraine and other sensitive national security topics.
U.S. officials argue that these cases highlight China’s audacity in trying to obtain insight into U.S. military operations. U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman of the Southern District of California stated that the charges demonstrate the Chinese government’s determination to obtain critical information for their advantage.
One of the sailors arrested is 22-year-old Jinchao Wei, assigned to the San Diego-based USS Essex. Prosecutors allege that Wei, who was born in China, was approached by a Chinese intelligence officer while applying to become a naturalized U.S. citizen. Despite knowing the potential impact on his application, Wei continued to send sensitive U.S. military information multiple times over the course of a year. Wei even received congratulations from the Chinese officer upon becoming a U.S. citizen.
The other sailor arrested is 26-year-old Wenheng Zhao, based at Naval Base Ventura County. Zhao is charged with conspiring to collect bribes from a Chinese intelligence officer in exchange for U.S. naval exercise plans, operational orders, and photos and videos of electrical systems at Navy facilities. The information collected included operational plans for a U.S. military exercise in the Indo-Pacific Region. Zhao also allegedly recorded information that he handed over.
Both sailors were unavailable for comment, and the status of their legal representation is unknown. Wei has been charged under a rarely-used Espionage Act statute, while Zhao faces charges related to conspiracy.
According to federal prosecutors, Wei provided photographs, videos, and technical data about the USS Essex and other ships. He also disclosed details about the number and training of Marines during an upcoming exercise. The indictment alleges that Wei included as many as 50 manuals containing information about weapons systems and power structure.
The Chinese intelligence officer instructed Wei not to discuss their relationship, share sensitive information, or destroy evidence to cover their tracks. Wei is accused of being paid thousands of dollars for sharing the information.
It remains uncertain if federal officials are investigating other U.S. sailors or if the investigation is ongoing. At the Pentagon, Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder emphasized that appropriate action would be taken if rules for safeguarding and protecting sensitive information are violated.
U.S. Attorney Grossman stated that China poses a unique threat to the United States, surpassing other countries in audacity and the range of its efforts to subvert laws. He assured that the U.S. will utilize every tool available to counter this threat and deter China and those who threaten national security.
This story has been updated to correct the spelling of sailor Wenheng Zhao’s name.
____
Baldor reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Eric Tucker in Washington contributed.