**Former Navy Sailor Sentenced to 16 Years for Selling Sensitive Information to China**

In a shocking case of espionage, a former U.S. Navy sailor has been sentenced to over 16 years in prison for selling sensitive technical and operating manuals to an intelligence officer working for the Chinese government.

Jinchao Wei, 25, was convicted by a federal jury in August of six crimes, including espionage, after being paid more than $12,000 for the information he sold. A federal judge in San Diego sentenced Wei to 200 months (16 years and 8 months) on Monday.

Wei, an engineer for the amphibious assault ship USS Essex, was one of two California-based sailors charged with providing sensitive military information to China in August 2023. The other sailor, Wenheng Zhao, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and receiving a bribe in violation of his official duties and was sentenced to over two years in prison in 2024.

According to prosecutors, Wei was recruited via social media in 2022 by an intelligence officer who portrayed himself as a naval enthusiast working for the state-owned China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation. Despite being advised by a friend that the contact seemed suspicious, Wei continued to communicate with the officer and eventually moved conversations to a more secure messaging app.

Over the course of 18 months, Wei sent the officer photos and videos of the Essex, provided information on the location of various Navy ships, and shared details about the ship's defensive weapons. He sold the intelligence officer 60 technical and operating manuals, including those for weapons control, aircraft, and deck elevators.

The manuals contained export control warnings and detailed the operations of multiple systems aboard the Essex and similar ships. The USS Essex is a powerful warship equipped to transport and support a Marine Corps landing force of over 2,000 troops during an air and amphibious assault.

Wei's motivations for selling sensitive information were revealed in a letter he wrote to the judge before sentencing. He apologized for his actions and said that "introversion and loneliness" had clouded his judgment, leading him to believe that sharing the information with someone he considered a friend was harmless.

The case highlights the growing concerns of U.S. officials about the espionage threat posed by the Chinese government. In recent years, there have been numerous cases of Beijing intelligence operatives stealing sensitive government and commercial information through hacking and other means.

Wei's sentencing is a significant blow to those who have sought to compromise national security for personal gain or under duress. It serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting sensitive information and the severe consequences that come with betraying one's country.