2 Navy members charged with sharing sensitive military information with China

Navy lawsuit overview: 

• Who: Jinchao Wei and Wenheng Zhao, both active duty members of the United States Navy, were indicted in separate cases for sharing military information with China.
• Why: Wei and Zhao are charged with taking money from an unidentified conspirator in exchange for sensitive information related to defense, equipment and U.S. military installations.
• Where: Wei and Zhao were indicted in federal courts in California.

Two members of the United States Navy have been charged in California federal court with sharing sensitive military information with China. 

One of those charged in the Navy lawsuit was Jinchao Wei, a machinist’s mate on the U.S.S. Essex, a helicopter landing dock amphibious assault ship that’s docked in San Diego. Wei is accused of taking sensitive documents and sharing them with a Chinese intelligence officer.

“Jinchao Wei provided Conspirator A with information regarding the defense and weapons capabilities of U.S. Navy ships, potential vulnerabilities of these ships, and information related to ship movement,” the Navy charges indictment reads. “The unauthorized disclosure of this national defense information could place the national security of the United States, and the safety of defendant Jinchao Wei’s fellow U.S. Navy sailors, in jeopardy.”

The other Navy member charged is Wenheng Zhao, a petty officer who was a construction electrician charged with installing, repairing and servicing electrical equipment on U.S. military installations.

Zhao is accused of sharing sensitive information with Conspirator A for payments.

In-depth investigation led to Navy lawsuit charges

The Navy charges indictments came from an investigation by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and FBI Field Offices in Los Angeles and San Diego, according to Assistant Attorney General for National Security at the Department of Justice Matt Olsen.

Zhao provided intelligence officer photographs and videos of military exercise plans, operational orders and electrical systems at a naval installation, Olsen said. Wei is accused of transferring more than 50 manuals and containing technical and mechanical data about naval amphibious assault ships.

“The charges demonstrate the PRC’s determination to obtain information that is critical to our national defense by any means, so it could be used to its advantage,” Olsen said. “The alleged conduct also represents a violation of the obligation of members of our military to defend this country, safeguard its secrets and to protect their fellow service members.”

A former Apple employee was one of six individuals who were charged with conspiring to export either U.S. weapons or technology to foreign destinations, including Russia, China and Iran. 

How do you feel about those who sell U.S. military secrets to foreign countries? Let us know in the comments.

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