Two U.S. Navy Sailors Detained on Espionage Charges for Suspected Connections with China

Arrests of U.S. Navy Sailors for Sharing Sensitive Military Information with China

Two U.S. Navy sailors have been arrested for allegedly sharing sensitive military information with the Chinese Communist Party. The charges are related to national security and the accused individuals are accused of betraying the public trust and violating their commitments to protect the United States. The arrests were announced by Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division.

Arrest of Jinchao Wei on Espionage-Related Charges

A U.S. Navy Sailor named Jinchao Wei has been arrested on espionage-related charges. Wei, who is an active-duty machinist's mate on the U.S.S. Essex assault ship stationed at Naval Base San Diego, was taken into custody upon arriving for work at the homeport of the Navy's Pacific Fleet in California.

Indictment of Wei for Conspiring to Send National Defense Information to Chinese Intelligence Officer

A 22-year-old sailor named Wei has been indicted for conspiring to send national defense information to a Chinese intelligence officer. U.S. officials claim that Wei communicated with the intelligence officer using encrypted messages and provided photos, videos, and documents about the U.S.S. Essex and other Navy ships starting from February 2022. Wei allegedly disclosed the locations of Navy ships, defensive weapons, technical and mechanical manuals, and information about the number of U.S. Marines training during international maritime warfare exercises. In exchange for this information, Wei received thousands of dollars from the intelligence officer.

Arrest of Wenheng Zhao on Charges of Conspiracy and Receipt of a Bribe

A U.S. Navy sailor stationed at Naval Base Ventura County in California has been arrested on charges of conspiracy and receipt of a bribe. The sailor, Petty Officer Wenheng Zhao, is accused of transmitting sensitive military information to a Chinese official who posed as a maritime economic researcher.

Accusations Against Zhao for Communicating with Chinese Intelligence Officer

A 26-year-old individual named Zhao has been accused of communicating with a Chinese intelligence officer between August 2021 and May 2023. Zhao allegedly obtained classified military information by secretly recording photographs and videos and then sending them to the foreign officer. Authorities are investigating the matter.

Accusations Against Chinese Intelligence Officer for Paying Zhao for Classified Operational Plans

A Chinese intelligence officer has been accused of paying a U.S. Navy officer, Zhao, around $14,866 in exchange for classified operational plans for a major U.S. military exercise in the Indo-Pacific Region. The plans involved naval force movements, amphibious landings, and maritime operations. Zhao is also alleged to have exchanged photographs of electrical diagrams and blueprints for a radar system located on a U.S. military base in Okinawa, Japan.

Accusations Against U.S. Navy Officer for Betraying Country

A U.S. Navy officer has been accused of betraying his country by sending sensitive military information to an intelligence officer from a hostile foreign state. The defendant is being charged with violating his oath to protect the country and uphold the Constitution. The U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California has stated that the defendant chose to sell out his colleagues and his country, contrasting with the honorable service of the majority of U.S. Navy personnel.

Potential Prison Sentence and National Security Threat

The article reports that a person named Zhao is facing a potential prison sentence of up to 20 years if found guilty. Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen, in a press briefing, stated that the threat posed by China is unique and poses a significant risk to the national security of the United States.