What military secrets did Jinchao Wei sell to China?

Jinchao Wei sold technical secrets about the USS Essex, fleet locations, and sensitive information on ship systems and weapons.

How much money did Jinchao Wei receive for selling secrets?

Jinchao Wei received $12,000 for selling military secrets to a Chinese intelligence officer.

What methods did Jinchao Wei use to avoid detection?

Wei used encrypted messaging apps, deleted messages immediately, and utilized self-deleting digital drop boxes.

Home / Crime and Justice / US Sailor Jailed for Selling Secrets to China

US Sailor Jailed for Selling Secrets to China

14 Jan

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Summary

Sailor sentenced to over 16 years for selling US Navy secrets.
Traded USS Essex data and fleet locations for $12,000.
Used encrypted apps and deleted messages to hide espionage.

US Sailor Jailed for Selling Secrets to China

Jinchao Wei, a 25-year-old former US Navy machinist mate, received a sentence of 200 months (over 16 years) in federal prison for espionage. Wei was convicted of selling classified military secrets concerning the amphibious assault ship USS Essex and US Navy vessel locations to an agent of the Chinese Communist Party. The transactions, which spanned 18 months, yielded Wei $12,000.

Authorities revealed Wei began communicating with a Chinese intelligence officer on social media in early 2022. Despite suspecting the contact was an intelligence operative, Wei continued the exchanges, moving to a secure encrypted messaging app. He transmitted thousands of pages of technical manuals, photos, videos, and details on weapons systems and damage control procedures directly from his work computers.