Trial date set for Navy sailor accused of spying
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Monday’s hearing in federal court lasted a matter of minutes with a Dec. 3 trial date set for Jinchao Wei, the San Diego-based U.S. Navy sailor accused of espionage.
Wei, 22, was an active-duty sailor on the amphibious assault ship USS Essex when he was arrested last August as he arrived for work at Naval Base San Diego.
Federal prosecutors say Wei is a naturalized citizen who was selling information to a Chinese intelligence officer beginning in February 2022.
Wei allegedly was paid thousands of dollars for passing along photos, videos and around 50 manuals of U.S. military intel to the Chinese, including sensitive information about ships and upcoming military exercises.
Wei, who was brought to the U.S. by his mother when he was 16, has pleaded “not guilty” to all charges.
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Including new charges added last week, in particular naturalization fraud, with accusations that Wei was communicating with his Chinese handler during the process to become a U.S. citizen.
Wei was arrested the same day as sailor Wenheng Zhao who was based in Ventura County and also accused of taking bribes from China in exchange for U.S. military information.
Speaking with Wei’s attorney, he told FOX 5/KUSI off camera he’s frustrated because the two cases are very similar, yet Zhao was sentenced in January to 27 months, while U.S. attorneys have told him he can’t argue for less than 12-and-a-half years for Wei.
Wei’s attorney also told FOX 5/KUSI he’s still waiting to get access to evidence against his client.
Another hearing is scheduled for next month.
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