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. (RELATED: Elderly Lady Donates Late Husband’s War Possessions, Good Will Calls In Bomb Squad)
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.
🚨U.S. Navy Sailor Sentenced to More Than 16 Years for Spying for China🚨
Jinchao Wei, a former U.S. Navy sailor who was convicted of espionage by a federal jury in August 2025, was sentenced in federal court today to 200 months in prison.
Press Release: https://t.co/ehqJndLYGh pic.twitter.com/o3AuOPWAtt— FBI San Diego (@FBISanDiego) January 13, 2026
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.