Security News > 2023 > August > Two US Navy sailors charged with giving Chinese spies secret military info

Two US Navy service members appeared in federal court Thursday accused of espionage and stealing sensitive military information for China in separate cases.

According to Uncle Sam, Wei had been handing off photos, videos, and technical manuals about US Navy ships and systems since February 2022.

Beginning around Valentine's Day in 2022, a Chinese intel officer, identified as "Conspirator A" in the court documents, made contact with Wei and said he was interested in receiving secret military data, including national defense information, telling the sailor "Original documents were preferred," according to the indictment.

"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 US Navy sailors, in jeopardy," the indictment stated.

In court on Thursday, Assistant US Attorney Fred Sheppard told the judge that Wei received between $10,000 and $15,000 from his Chinese spymaster in the past year.

The indictment claimed Wei enjoyed a cozy relationship with his handler, who apparently congratulated the Chinese-born service member on becoming a US citizen in 2022 and suggested he come to China on holiday.

News URL

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2023/08/04/us_navy_sailors_china_spies/