Espionage Allegations Send Shockwaves Through U.S. Navy
Two Sailors Arrested on Separate Charges
Overt Operator
August 04, 2023
U.S. authorities disclosed the arrest of two sailors on charges of transmitting classified military information to China.
Jinchao Wei, a 22-year-old naturalised US citizen, and Wenheng Zhao, 26, are the accused individuals at the epicenter of this national security controversy. According to the indictment, the pair stands charged with providing classified national defense data to an alleged Chinese agent.
Although the charges against the sailors are separate, the eerie parallels in their situations have drawn widespread attention. Both Wei and Zhao stand accused of leaking sensitive information in exchange for significant sums of money. The connection between the two cases remains unclear, with authorities yet to confirm if the same Chinese operative approached both individuals.
Unveiling the charges at a San Diego news conference on Thursday, federal prosecutors painted a chilling picture of a coordinated campaign of espionage, revealing that Wei served as a machinist's mate aboard the USS Essex, an amphibious assault ship. Possessing security clearance, Wei had direct access to sensitive details about the ship, making him a high-value target for foreign entities.
The indictment alleges that a Chinese agent reached out to Wei in February 2022 during his naturalization process. The agent, it is claimed, compensated Wei generously for providing photographs, videos, and a multitude of technical details relating to the ship, including its blueprints.
Authorities also claim that Wei revealed information about US Marines participating in a maritime training exercise.
Highlighting the seriousness of the alleged crimes, US Attorney Randy Grossman commented, "When a soldier or sailor chooses cash over country and hands over national defense information in an ultimate act of betrayal, we have to be ready to act."
The case against Zhao tells a similarly concerning story. Operating out of Naval Base Ventura County near Los Angeles, Zhao was allegedly approached by a Chinese agent under the guise of a research analyst seeking data for investment decisions.
For the sum of almost $15,000, Zhao allegedly handed over images, diagrams, and plans for a radar system located at a US military base in Okinawa, Japan.
Upon conviction, Wei faces a potential life sentence, while Zhao could spend a maximum of 20 years behind bars.
These charges signal an alarming trend in China's intelligence-gathering efforts, demonstrating a clear focus on penetrating US military security.