Current:Home > Markets2 Navy sailors arrested, accused of providing China with information -FutureWise Finance
2 Navy sailors arrested, accused of providing China with information
View
Date:2025-04-16 20:02:45
Two U.S. Navy sailors have been arrested on charges related to national security and tied to China, U.S. officials said Thursday.
Jinchao Wei, a 22-year-old sailor assigned to the San Diego-based USS Essex, was arrested Wednesday on a charge related to espionage involving conspiracy to send national defense information to Chinese officials, according to the U.S. officials.
Federal officials released an indictment against Wei on Thursday and provided more details at a news conference in San Diego.
In an indictment released Thursday, federal prosecutors allege that Wei made contact with a Chinese government intelligence officer in February 2022, and at the officer's request, provided photographs and videos of the ship he served on. The information he disclosed included technical and mechanical manuals as well as details about the number and training of Marines during an upcoming exercise, the Justice Department said.
Federal officials said in a news conference Thursday that Wei, who was born in China, was approached by the Chinese officer while he was applying for U.S. citizenship, and the officer even congratulated him when he became a U.S. citizen.
"Wei admitted to his handler that he knew this activity would be viewed as spying and could affect his pending citizenship application. Rather than report the contact, which he was trained to do, he chose instead to hide it," said Randy Grossman, U.S. attorney for the southern district of California. "Whether it was greed or for some other reason, Wei allegedly chose to turn his back on his newly adopted country and enter a conspiracy with his Chinese handler."
The Justice Department charged Wei under a rarely-used Espionage Act statute that makes it a crime to gather or deliver information to aid a foreign government.
During the course of the relationship, the unnamed Chinese intelligence officer instructed Wei not to discuss their relationship, to share non-public information with the agent, and to destroy evidence to help them cover their tracks, officials said.
Service records show Wei was stationed aboard the USS Essex. The amphibious assault ship is known as a Landing Helicopter Dock that has a full flight deck and can carry an array of helicopters, including the MV-22 Ospreys.
The Justice Department separately announced charges against a second Navy service member, accusing Wenheng Zhao of collecting bribes in exchange for giving sensitive U.S. military photos and videos to a Chinese intelligence officer.
Over two years, Zhao sent used encrypted communications to send information — including photographs of an operational center in Okinawa, Japan — to China in return for $15,000, Estrada said.
"By sending the sensitive military information to an intelligence officer employed by a hostile foreign state, Mr. Zhao betrayed his sacred oath to defend our country and uphold the constitution. In short, Mr. Zhao chose a path of corruption and in doing so, he sold out his colleagues at the U.S. Navy," said Martin Estrada, U.S. attorney for the central district of California.
The two sailors were charged with similar crimes, but they were charged as separate cases and it wasn't clear Thursday if the two were courted or paid by the same Chinese intelligence officer.
- In:
- United States Department of Justice
- Navy
- China
veryGood! (239)
Related
- Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
- Novak Djokovic OK after being struck in head with metal water bottle in Rome
- Psst. Mother's Day is Sunday and she wants a gift. Show her love without going into debt.
- NWSL will be outlier now that WNBA is switching to charter flights for entire season
- Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
- Couple charged in death of 11-year-old Arizona boy with 'numerous' medical conditions, police say
- As NFL's most scrutinized draft pick, Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. is ready for spotlight
- Experts say gun alone doesn’t justify deadly force in fatal shooting of Florida airman
- 2 killed, 3 injured in shooting at makeshift club in Houston
- Gypsy Rose Blanchard Tastes Her First In-N-Out Burger and Gives Her Honest Review
Ranking
- Pregnant Kylie Kelce Shares Hilarious Question Her Daughter Asked Jason Kelce Amid Rising Fame
- Thomas says critics are pushing ‘nastiness’ and calls Washington a ‘hideous place’
- The most stolen cars in America? See the list for 2023
- U.S. weapons may have been used in ways inconsistent with international law in Gaza, U.S. assessment says
- The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
- Roger Corman, legendary director and producer of B-movies, dies at 98
- The Flores agreement has protected migrant children for nearly 3 decades. Changes may be coming.
- Apple Store employees in Maryland vote to authorize a first strike over working conditions
Recommendation
Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
Mothers cannot work without child care, so why aren't more companies helping?
Alligator spotted on busy highway in Mobile, Alabama, sighting stopped traffic
Actor Steve Buscemi is OK after being punched in the face in New York City
Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
Actor Steve Buscemi is OK after being punched in the face in New York City
Backcountry skier dies after being buried in Idaho avalanche
Trump tells Jersey Shore crowd he’s being forced to endure ‘Biden show trial’ in hush money case