A Navy sailor assigned to the San Diego-based USS Essex was arrested and charged with espionage, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Thursday that 22-year-old Jinchao Wei, who is also known as Patrick Wei, was taken into custody as he reported for duty at Naval Base San Diego on Wednesday.
Per an indictment unsealed Thursday morning, Wei -- who serves as a machinist’s mate -- had U.S. security clearance, which allowed him access to sensitive national defense information about naval ships’ weapons, propulsion, and desalination systems.
Officials stated the espionage charge is “reserved for the most serious circumstances involving the passage of national defense information intended to harm the United States or for the benefit of a foreign power.”
Officials also noted the charge has only been used five times in the last six years across the country.
Wei allegedly began his communication with a Chinese intelligence officer in February 2022 and provided information about the USS Essex and other ships.
Another sailor, from Naval Base Ventura County, was in federal custody for allegedly receiving bribes in exchange for sending sensitive military information, including plans for a large-scale U.S. military exercise in the Indo-Pacific region and diagrams and blueprints for a radar system, to a Chinese intelligence officer.
He is Petty Officer Wenheng Zhao, 26, also known as Thomas Zhao, who was arrested Wednesday and was expected to be arraigned Thursday afternoon in downtown Los Angeles.
(Photo Getty Images)
Photo: Getty Images