Two US Navy sailors in California have been apprehended on charges of divulging sensitive military data to China, BBC reports.
Jinchao Wei, a 22-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen, is accused of conspiring to transmit national defense information to a Chinese agent. Petty Officer Wenheng Zhao, aged 26, was arrested for accepting money in exchange for sensitive photos and videos.
Both arrests occurred in California, with Wei taken into custody while on his way to work at Naval Base San Diego. The prosecutors claim that Wei, who served as a machinist's mate on the U.S.S. Essex amphibious assault ship, held security clearance and had access to critical information about the vessel.
He allegedly came into contact with a Chinese agent in February 2022 during his process of becoming a U.S. citizen. The agent reportedly paid Wei thousands of dollars for photographs, videos, technical manuals, and blueprints of the ship. Additionally, Mr. Wei shared details of U.S. Marines participating in a maritime training exercise with the Chinese agent.
Meanwhile, Zhao, who also goes by the name Thomas Zhao, worked at Naval Base Ventura County near Los Angeles. In 2021, a Chinese agent, posing as a researcher seeking investment information, approached him. Authorities claim that Zhao received nearly $15,000 in exchange for photos, videos, diagrams, and blueprints related to a radar system stationed on a U.S. military base in Okinawa, Japan.
The Justice Department officials have highlighted this alleged espionage as part of China's deliberate attempt to obtain U.S. military secrets. China, however, has denied any knowledge of the activities in question.
If convicted, Wei could face 20 years to life in prison, while the maximum sentence for Zhao's charges is 20 years. Both cases are being treated separately. U.S. authorities have emphasized their commitment to counter threats from China and deter individuals from aiding espionage activities that undermine national security.
As of now, it is unclear whether Wei or Zhao have obtained legal representation to comment on their behalf.
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