Two U.S. Navy sailors based in California have been charged with providing sensitive military information to China; they have both pleaded not guilty.
The Charges: Authorities allege that the two sailors provided China with details of wartime exercises, naval operations, and critical technical material.
* It’s still unclear whether the sailors were in contact with each other during their activities.
* U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman stated, “Through the alleged crimes committed by these defendants, sensitive military information ended up in the hands of the People’s Republic of China.”
The Accused: The sailors, Jinchao Wei and Wenheng Zhao, were arrested while in California.
* Wei is accused of passing detailed information about the weapons systems and aircraft aboard the San Diego-based USS Essex and other amphibious assault ships. Prosecutors said Wei sent sensitive U.S. military information multiple times over a year and was congratulated by a Chinese officer once he became a U.S. citizen.
* Zhao is charged with collecting approximately $15,000 in bribes from a Chinese intelligence officer in exchange for U.S. naval exercise plans, operational orders, and photos and videos of electrical systems at Navy facilities between August 2021 and May 2022.
The Impact: The cases concern U.S. officials due to fears surrounding espionage threats by the Chinese government.
* The charges reflect existing anxieties about the Intelligence theft threat China poses, leading to U.S. criminal cases against Beijing intelligence operatives for stealing sensitive government and commercial information, including through illegal hacking.
* This occurrence follows another recent insider-threat prosecution related to the U.S. military in which a Massachusetts Air National Guardsman was arrested for leaking classified military documents about Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The Penalties: Both sailors face serious penalties if convicted.
* After Wei pleaded not guilty in San Diego, he was assigned a public defender who declined to comment following the hearing. If convicted, Wei could face up to life in prison.
* Zhao also pleaded not guilty, and if convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
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