Current:Home > ScamsUS Navy sailor’s mom encouraged him to pass military details to China, prosecutor says -FutureWise Finance
US Navy sailor’s mom encouraged him to pass military details to China, prosecutor says
View
Date:2025-04-14 13:12:35
SAN DIEGO (AP) — The mother of a U.S. Navy sailor charged with providing sensitive military information to China encouraged him to cooperate with a Chinese intelligence officer, telling her son it might help him get a job with the Chinese government someday, the prosecution said Tuesday.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred Sheppard made the accusation at a hearing in federal court in San Diego in urging the judge not to release Jinchao Wei, who was arrested last week on a rarely used espionage charge.
Prosecutors did not name the woman in court. As a result of that the AP could not try to find her or people who could comment on her behalf.
Wei is one of two sailors based in California accused of providing sensitive military information to China — including details on wartime exercises, naval operations and critical technical material. Prosecutors have not said whether the two were courted or paid by the same Chinese intelligence officer as part of a larger scheme.
The Justice Department charged Wei, 22, under a Espionage Act statute that makes it a crime to gather or deliver information to aid a foreign government.
Both sailors have pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors have said Wei, who was born in China, was first approached by a Chinese intelligence officer in February 2022 while he was applying to become a naturalized U.S. citizen, and admitted to the officer that he knew the arrangement could affect his application. Even so, prosecutors say he provided the officer detailed information on the weapons systems and aircraft aboard the Essex and other amphibious assault ships that act as small aircraft carriers.
In arguing against his release, Sheppard told the court on Tuesday that when Wei went home for Christmas to see his mother, who lives in Wisconsin, she was aware of her son’s arrangement. She also encouraged him to keep helping the Chinese intelligence officer because it might get him a job someday with China’s Communist party after he leaves the U.S. Navy, Sheppard said.
Sheppard told the court that the intelligence officer told Wei that he and the Chinese government were willing to fly him and his mother to China to meet them in person, and that Wei searched online for flights to China this spring.
Sheppard said the officer also told Wei to buy a computer and phone to pass the information, and that if Wei provided a receipt, the Chinese government would reimburse him for the expenses.
Defense attorney Jason Conforti told the court that Wei is not a danger to the community and no longer has access to any military information.
Sheppard countered that Wei’s actions put thousands of sailors at risk by revealing sensitive information on Navy ships.
The judge ruled to keep him in federal custody without bond.
The indictment alleges Wei included as many as 50 manuals containing technical and mechanical data about Navy ships as well as details about the number and training of Marines during an upcoming exercise.
Sheppard said Wei has made $10,000 to $15,000 in the past year from the arrangement. If convicted, he could face up to life in prison.
The Justice Department also charged sailor Wenheng Zhao, 26, based at Naval Base Ventura County, north of Los Angeles, with conspiring to collect nearly $15,000 in bribes from a Chinese intelligence officer in exchange for information, photos and videos involving Navy exercises, operations and facilities between August 2021 through at least this May.
The information included plans for a large-scale U.S. military exercise in the Indo-Pacific region, which detailed the location and timing of naval force movements.
veryGood! (1946)
Related
- Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there
- Noah Lyles wins Olympic 100 by five-thousandths of a second, among closest finishes in Games history
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Whodunit? (Freestyle)
- Jenelle Evans’ Son Jace Is All Grown Up in 15th Birthday Tribute
- Warm inflation data keep S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq under wraps before Fed meeting next week
- Alma Cooper, Miss Michigan, Wins Miss USA 2024
- Democratic primary in Arizona’s 3rd District still close, could be headed for recount
- Debby shows there's more to a storm than wind scale: 'Impacts are going to be from water'
- A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
- Buying Taylor Swift tickets at face value? These fans make it possible
Ranking
- Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
- Hyundai, Nissan, Tesla among 1.9M vehicles recalled last week: Check car recalls here
- Schwab, Fidelity, other online trading brokerages appear to go dark during huge market sell-off
- From fun and games to artwork, try out these free AI tools for your entertainment
- Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
- The Ultimate Guide to the Best Tatcha Skincare Products: Which Ones Are Worth Your Money?
- Wildfires rage in Oregon, Washington: Map the Pacific Northwest wildfires, evacuations
- The 14 Best Modular Furniture Pieces for Small Spaces
Recommendation
US wholesale inflation accelerated in November in sign that some price pressures remain elevated
Sha'Carri Richardson gets silver but no storybook ending at Paris Olympics
From fun and games to artwork, try out these free AI tools for your entertainment
Hyundai, Nissan, Tesla among 1.9M vehicles recalled last week: Check car recalls here
Global Warming Set the Stage for Los Angeles Fires
Louisiana mayor who recently resigned now faces child sex crime charges
National Root Beer Float Day: How to get your free float at A&W
Xochitl Gomez Reveals Marvel-ous Skincare Lessons and Products for Under $5