In a significant ruling, the Justice Department announced today that Jinchao Wei, a former U.S. Navy sailor, has been sentenced to 200 months in prison for espionage. Wei, 25, also known as Patrick Wei, was convicted by a federal jury in August 2025 for his involvement in serious crimes against national security. He was arrested in August 2023 as he reported for duty on the amphibious assault ship, U.S.S. Essex, at Naval Base San Diego, which serves as the homeport for the Pacific Fleet.
Wei was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of selling sensitive national defense information to an intelligence officer working for the People’s Republic of China for a sum of $12,000. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche commented on the case, stating, “Members of the United States military swear to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. This active-duty U.S. Navy sailor betrayed his country and compromised the national security of the United States.”
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg emphasized Wei's betrayal, noting that he had sworn loyalty to the United States and accepted the responsibility of safeguarding critical military secrets. “He made a mockery of these commitments,” Eisenberg added, highlighting the seriousness of Wei's actions in selling U.S. military secrets for personal gain.
Wei's espionage activities began in February 2022 when he was approached by a Chinese intelligence officer via social media. Initially, the officer posed as a naval enthusiast affiliated with the state-owned China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation. Despite expressing suspicion about the officer’s true intentions to a friend, Wei chose to continue communicating with him, even transitioning to a more secure, encrypted messaging app to facilitate his espionage activities.
Evidence presented during the trial revealed that between March 2022 and his arrest in August 2023, Wei provided the Chinese intelligence officer with a range of sensitive information, including photographs and operational details about the U.S.S. Essex, as well as information about the location of various Navy ships. He transmitted thousands of pages of technical and operational data related to U.S. Navy surface warfare ships, all while receiving payments totaling over $12,000.
U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon described Wei's actions as a profound betrayal of trust, indicating that by sharing sensitive military information, Wei endangered not only his fellow service members but also the American public. “This level of disloyalty strikes at the heart of our national security,” Gordon stated, reinforcing the need for a severe sentence.
Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI’s Counterintelligence and Espionage Division reiterated the FBI's commitment to safeguarding national defense information and ensuring that those who prioritize personal gain over their oath to protect the nation are brought to justice. “This sentencing demonstrates our unwavering commitment,” he remarked.
Following a five-day trial and one day of jury deliberation, Wei was convicted of six offenses, including conspiracy to commit espionage, espionage, and violations of the Arms Export Control Act and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. He was acquitted of one count related to naturalization fraud. Despite holding a U.S. security clearance and having access to sensitive military information, Wei opted to engage in espionage activities that compromised U.S. military operations.
This case marks a pivotal moment in the fight against espionage within the U.S. military, as it is the first instance of espionage charges under U.S. Code Section 794 being brought in this district. The FBI and Naval Criminal Investigative Service led the investigation, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Parmley and former Trial Attorney Adam Barry. The outcome of this case serves as a stark reminder of the risks posed by insider threats and the critical importance of protecting national security.