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Posted on 01/13/2026 12:13:10 PM PST by DFG
A judge sentenced a former U.S. Navy sailor convicted of espionage in August 2025 to over 16 years in prison, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said in a Monday press release.
Jinchao Wei, also called Patrick Wei, was apprehended on espionage charges in August 2023 as he showed up for work on the amphibious assault ship U.S.S. Essex at Naval Base San Diego, according to the DOJ. Prosecutors accused Wei of selling national defense information to an intelligence officer employed by the People’s Republic of China. A federal grand jury later indicted him. He has now been sentenced to 20o months behind bars.
The jury found Wei guilty of six crimes, among them conspiracy to commit espionage, espionage, and unlawful export of, and conspiracy to export, technical data related to defense articles in violation of the Arms Export Control Act and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. Wei was a machinist’s mate with a U.S. security clearance and was privy to sensitive national defense data regarding the vessel’s weapons, propulsion and desalination equipment, according to evidence put forward during his trial.
Wei sent images and footage of the U.S.S Essex to the Chinese intelligence officer who recruited him via social media in February 2022 and portrayed himself as a naval enthusiast employed by the state-owned China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation, according to the DOJ.
From March 2022 and his apprehension, Wei sent images and footage of the U.S.S Essex to the officer. He also detailed issues with the ship and sent technical and operational information about surface warfare ships such as the Essex to his contact despite telling a friend he was suspicious of the contact’s true identity and motive, the DOJ said. Wei received $12,000 over the course of 18 months in return for the information.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche reiterated that the U.S. will not tolerate such behavior.
“Members of the United States military swear to support and defend the Constitution of the United States,” he said. “This active-duty U.S. Navy sailor betrayed his country and compromised the national security of the United States. The Justice Department will not tolerate this behavior. We stand ready to investigate, defend, and protect the interests of the American people.”
Ahead of his sentencing, Wei wrote a letter to the judge apologizing for his actions, CBS News reported. The former petty officer second class said “introversion and loneliness” compromised his thinking.
Prosecutors said Wei was born in China and was first contacted by the intelligence officer while working to get U.S. citizenship, according to USA Today. He was not convicted on a count of naturalization fraud.
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>>He has now been sentenced to 20o months behind bars.
I remember when we used to execute spies.
Only U.S. citizens should be serving in our military. This isn’t accidental that our leaders had been letting crap like this occur. A few heads on pikes should stop this.
Until then he should be forced to daily listen to Kamala's audiobook, be allowed to eat only dung from Stacey Abrams, and his only hydration be through waterboarding. And if he's Han tell him that his sister married a Uyghur.
He should already have been executed after being found guilty.
I’m still struggling with why this went to federal court instead of a court-martial....
>>”Only U.S. citizens should be serving in our military.”
I would go further and say that only natural born citizens should be allowed to serve in our military, at least for certain positions. We may need to rely on foreign born individuals for intelligence gathering purposes, so some accommodation would need to be made to allow that. But otherwise, no.
20 months, eh?
Hope the former MM2 doesn’t break a nail.
Should be 40 years and a DD.
It’s called, “Sending a message.”
Non‑citizens have served in the U.S. Navy since the very beginning of the republic, but the first explicit authorization for a large group of foreign nationals came in 1901, when President William McKinley issued an executive order allowing the Navy to enlist 500 Filipinos
Known a lot of good Filipino sailors. Non-citizens are, or at least were, limited in which ratings they could serve.
His Chinese first name is pronounced as Gin cho.
Now do swallows well.
Find some shark infested waters and dump him OB.
“And if he’s Han tell him that his sister married a Uyghur.”
Glad you brought that up. The Han Chinese are among the most racist people you’ll ever meet.
Jinchao Wei, also called Patrick Wei, was apprehended on espionage charges in August 2023 as he showed up for work on the amphibious assault ship U.S.S. Essex at Naval Base San Diego, according to the DOJ. The jury found Wei guilty of six crimes, among them conspiracy to commit espionage, espionage, and unlawful export of, and conspiracy to export, technical data related to defense articles in violation of the Arms Export Control Act and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. Wei was a machinist’s mate with a U.S. security clearance and was privy to sensitive national defense data regarding the vessel’s weapons, propulsion and desalination equipment, according to evidence put forward during his trial.
Sure, but that's Celsius.
Agreed… and “chum him up” first
I’m thinking he could have made more much than $12,000 if he had simply kept his honor and his job.
I believe these types were allowed in by previous administrations knowing there was a good chance, and even hoping something like this happened. Any Chinese citizen here should be considered a spy.
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