A former U.S. Navy sailor has been sentenced to more than 16 years in federal prison for passing sensitive military information to Chinese intelligence.
On Monday, a judge in San Diego handed Jinchao Wei, 25, a 200-month sentence after his conviction for selling technical and operational manuals tied to U.S. Navy ships and systems. Wei served as a machinist’s mate aboard the USS Essex and, according to prosecutors, knowingly shared restricted material with an intelligence officer linked to China.
Federal authorities said Wei received approximately $13,000 in exchange for the information, which included details that could compromise U.S. naval operations.
Who is Jinchao Wei?
Wei worked as an engineer in the U.S. Navy, stationed aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex. His role gave him access to sensitive technical and operational details about Navy vessels and systems directly tied to national defense. Prosecutors argued that Wei repeatedly violated this trust.
READ: Indian woman’s shoplifting arrest at Target goes viral, becomes a community flashpoint (July 15, 2025)
In August, a federal jury found Wei guilty on six counts, including espionage. The U.S. Department of Justice said he sold classified and export-controlled Navy materials over an 18-month period. On Monday, the San Diego federal judge sentenced him to 200 months in prison, marking one of the longest penalties in recent military espionage cases.
Prosecutors said Wei sold manuals detailing how U.S. Navy ships operate. The documents covered critical systems, including power and steering, weapons control, aircraft and deck elevators, and damage and casualty management. Many of the manuals were clearly marked with export-control warnings, indicating they were not to be shared with foreign governments or individuals.
What methods or tactics were used to recruit Wei?
Prosecutors said Wei was first contacted in 2022 through social media by someone claiming to be a naval enthusiast working for a Chinese state-owned shipbuilding company. Evidence presented in court showed that Wei suspected the individual was an intelligence officer. He told a friend the contact was “extremely suspicious” and “quite obviously” espionage. Despite his concerns, Wei continued communicating and moved the conversations to encrypted messaging apps he believed were more secure.
Over an 18-month period, Wei sent photos and videos of the USS Essex, shared locations of U.S. Navy ships, and provided details about the ship’s defensive weapons. He sold roughly 60 technical manuals along with dozens of documents and images related to his Navy duties.
“Wei betrayed the trust placed in him as a member of the US Navy by knowingly transmitting sensitive military information to a Chinese intelligence officer,” as per Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI’s Counterintelligence and Espionage Division. “While not everything the FBI does to protect the homeland from China’s intelligence services can be made public, this sentencing demonstrates the FBI’s unwavering commitment to protect sensitive national defense information. It also serves as a reminder that those who choose to put personal gain above their oath and the safety of our nation will be brought to justice.”
Wei referred to his handler as “Big Brother Andy” and followed instructions to keep their communications hidden. He relied on multiple encrypted apps, deleted messages, used digital “dead drops,” and even employed electronic devices supplied by the intelligence officer.
After his arrest, Wei admitted to investigators that he had handed over thousands of pages of sensitive Navy documents in exchange for thousands of dollars. He also acknowledged that he knew his actions were illegal and made efforts to conceal them. When asked how he would describe his conduct, Wei replied, “espionage.”
Wei was one of two California-based U.S. Navy sailors charged in August 2023 with passing sensitive military information to China. The other sailor, Wenheng Zhao, pleaded guilty and was sentenced in 2024 to more than two years in prison for conspiracy and receiving a bribe.
READ: Delta co-pilot arrest sends shockwaves: What the law says about crimes against children (July 31, 2025)
Meanwhile, India officially unveiled the logo and website for its BRICS Presidency 2026 on Tuesday, marking the start of its upcoming leadership of the multilateral group. The logo emphasizes both India’s identity and the collective nature of BRICS. Its five petals are colored to represent the founding members—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—symbolizing unity among diverse nations.
Speaking at the launch, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said the theme highlights the importance of strengthening capacities, promoting innovation, and advancing sustainable development for the benefit of all members. He added that the logo reflects the balance of unity and diversity within BRICS, while the official website will serve as a central platform during India’s chairmanship, sharing details on meetings, initiatives, outcomes, and facilitating broader engagement among member countries.