U.S. Navy Sailor Sentenced to 16 Years After Ignoring Friend’s Warning on Chinese Espionage
A former U.S. Navy sailor was sentenced to more than 16 years in federal prison on Monday for selling sensitive military secrets to a Chinese intelligence officer. The sentencing of Jinchao “Patrick” Wei, 25, follows a federal jury conviction in August 2025 on espionage charges. Prosecutors highlighted that Wei was fully aware of the implications of his actions, having explicitly told a fellow sailor that the approach by the foreign agent was “obviously espionage” before proceeding to commit the crimes.
Deep Search: The Warning and the Choice
Federal prosecutors presented evidence revealing that Wei’s decision to spy was made with clear intent and despite a direct warning from a peer. In February 2022, shortly after being contacted via social media by an individual claiming to be interested in naval ships, Wei confided in a friend and fellow sailor. He reportedly told the friend that he had been offered money for information, stating he was “no idiot” and recognizing the solicitation as espionage.
The friend advised Wei to delete the contact immediately. Instead, Wei disregarded the advice and transitioned his communications to encrypted messaging applications to evade detection. Over the course of 18 months, he provided his Chinese handler—identified as “Big Brother Andy”—with detailed information, including manual operations for the USS Essex’s weapons, propulsion, and desalination systems, as well as the locations of other Navy vessels. Wei received approximately $12,000 in exchange for the stolen data. The Justice Department noted that Wei also utilized “dead drops” and deleted records to conceal his activities.
Defense Objections and Context
During the sentencing phase, defense attorneys argued for a significantly lighter sentence, suggesting a term closer to 30 months. They portrayed Wei as an introverted and lonely individual whose judgment was clouded by his isolation. In a handwritten letter to the judge, Wei expressed remorse, writing, “I screwed up,” and pleaded for mercy, citing a difficult childhood after moving to the United States from China as a teenager.
The defense also attempted to draw a parallel to a recent case involving a State Department employee who received a four-year sentence for transmitting classified information to Chinese officials, arguing that Wei’s punishment should be proportional. However, prosecutors contended that Wei’s betrayal was particularly egregious because it compromised the security of the USS Essex and its crew, justifying the 200-month sentence.
Background Information
Jinchao Wei was arrested in August 2023 as he arrived for work at Naval Base San Diego, the homeport of the Pacific Fleet. He served as a machinist’s mate on the USS Essex, an amphibious assault ship that functions similarly to a small aircraft carrier. Wei, a naturalized U.S. citizen, had access to restricted areas and sensitive technical manuals as part of his duties.
This case is part of a broader crackdown on insider threats within the U.S. military. Wei was arrested alongside another California-based sailor, Wenheng Zhao, who was charged in a separate but similar espionage scheme. Zhao pleaded guilty to transmitting sensitive military information, including operational plans for a large-scale exercise in the Indo-Pacific, and was sentenced to 27 months in prison in early 2024.
U.S. officials stated that the hefty sentence for Wei serves as a deterrent and reflects the severity of compromising national defense information. “This active-duty U.S. Navy sailor betrayed his country and compromised the national security of the United States,” said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche following the sentencing.
