US Navy sailor's mother told him to keep spying for China, court hears

Jinchao Wei was arrested last week on rarely used charges of espionage. so is his mother, who suggested it would help him get a job with the Chinese government, prosecutors said on Tuesday.

Jinchao Wei, 22, was arrested last week on rarely used espionage charges. He is one of two sailors based in California who are accused of providing China with sensitive military information, including details about military exercises, naval operations and important technical materials. Both pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutors say Mr. Wei, who was born in China, was first approached by a Chinese intelligence officer in February 2022 when he was applying for a naturalized US citizen and was admitted to the officer that he knew that the arrangement might affect his application.

However, prosecutors say he provided the officer with detailed information about the weapons systems and aircraft aboard the US landing craft. Mr. Wei is accused of providing China with classified military information, including information about military exercises, naval operations, and sensitive technical materials. Credit: US Navy/Getty Images North America

Prosecutor Fred Sheppard told the court that when Mr. Wei came home for Christmas to see his mother, who lives in Wisconsin, she urged him to keep helping the intelligence officer because it might one day land him a job in the Chinese Communist Party. .

According to the prosecutor, the intelligence officer told Mr. Wei to buy a computer and telephone to transmit information and said the Chinese government would reimburse him.

Mr. Wei is accused of providing 50 manuals containing technical and mechanical data on Navy ships, as well as information on the number and training of Marines during the upcoming exercises.

According to Mr. Sheppard, he earned from the agreement between 10,000 and 15,000 dollars. If found guilty, he could face life in prison.

The Justice Department also accused 26-year-old sailor Wenheng Zhao of conspiring to take about $15,000 in bribes from a Chinese intelligence officer in exchange for information, photographs and videos of naval exercises, operations and installations from August 2021 to the current year.