Jinchao Wei biography: 13 things about US Navy sailor born in China

Jinchao Wei is a native of China and a resident of Wisconsin, United States also known as Patrick Wei. He was an active-duty U.S. Navy sailor on the amphibious assault ship U.S.S. Essex stationed at Naval Base San Diego in San Diego, California, USA.

As a machinist’s mate, Wei held a U.S. security clearance and had access to sensitive national defense information about the ship’s weapons, propulsion and desalination systems. Here are 13 more things about him:

1. On July 28, 2021, he joined the U.S. Navy.
2. On February 14, 2022, while he was applying to become a naturalized U.S. citizen, he was approached by an intelligence officer from China. On February 15, 2022, they agreed to hide their communications by deleting records of their conversations and using encrypted methods of communication. On February 18, 2022, the officer requested that he provide information about the U.S.S. Essex and other Navy ships. On February 23, 2022, they agreed to use a second encrypted communication application.
3. On March 4, 2022, he was assigned to the U.S.S. Essex. On March 7, 2022, the Chinese intelligence officer instructed him to send photographs and other material obtained through his service in the U.S. Navy through a particular secure communication application. On March 13, 2022, he sent the officer photographs and videos of the U.S.S. Essex.
4. On April 21, 2022, he advised the Chinese intelligence officer of the sea taskings and current location of various U.S. Navy landing helicopter docks (LHD). Between April 23, 2022 and April 26, 2022, they discussed the importance of electro mechanics on Chinese type 075 amphibious assault ships and aircraft carriers.
5. On May 15, 2022, he listed the defensive weapons aboard the U.S.S. Essex for the officer and disclosed what he believed was a weak point of the U.S.S. Essex. On May 18, 2022, the officer sent money to him and congratulated him for being granted U.S. citizenship.
6. On June 5, 2022, he sent the Chinese intelligence officer approximately 30 technical and mechanical manuals that contained export control warnings and detailed the operations of multiple systems aboard the U.S.S. Essex and similar ships. Between June 10, 2022 through June 11, 2022, the officer paid him $5,000. On June 13, 2022, they agreed to not speak with others about what they were doing and delete any online connection between them.
7. On August 17, 2022, he sent the Chinese intelligence officer 26 technical and mechanical manuals related to the power structure and operation of the U.S.S. Essex and similar ships. Between August 30, 2022 and September 6, 2022, the officer transferred $1,200 to him for the passage of export-restricted manuals.
8. The Chinese intelligence officer tasked him on September 27, 2022 with providing additional information about the U.S.S. Essex transferred money to him on September 30, 2022.
9. On October 8, 2022, he sent a technical manual to the Chinese intelligence officer describing the layout and location of certain departments, including berthing quarters and weapons systems. On October 9, 2022, the officer requested any information he could obtain on the U.S. Navy’s LHD lightning carrier and other amphibious combat concepts and he agreed to do so. The officer transferred money to him on October 26, 2022 and again on November 24, 2022.
10. On December 1, 2022, he passed technical and mechanical manuals that contained export control warnings to the Chinese intelligence officer related to the U.S.S. Essex.
11. On January 21, 2023, the Chinese intelligence officer offered to fly him and his mother to China so they could meet in person.
12. On February 5, 2023, he advised the Chinese intelligence officer that LHDs, including the U.S.S. Essex, are the U.S. Navy’s transportation tool for U.S. Marines and listed several repairs underway for the U.S.S. Essex. From February 27, 2023 to June 7, 2023, the officer sent him a total of $2,100.
13. On August 2, 2023, he was arrested on espionage charges as he arrived for work at Naval Base San Diego. He was 22 years old when he was charged on August 3, 2023 with conspiracy to provide national defense information to a Chinese intelligence officer. He pleaded not guilty in federal court in San Diego. His detention hearing will be on August 8, 2023.