A U.S. Navy Sailor has been sentenced to over two years in federal prison after accepting bribes from a Chinese intelligence officer, according to court documents. Wenheng Zhao, also known as Thomas Zhao, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and one count of receiving a bribe for violating his official duties. The 26-year-old sailor collected nearly $15,000 in bribes over a span of three years in exchange for providing sensitive U.S. military information. Zhao transmitted information, photos, and videos regarding Navy exercises, operations, and facilities to the Chinese officer. In addition to his prison sentence, Zhao was fined $5,500. The sailor’s defense lawyer was not available for immediate comment.
According to prosecutors, Zhao held a U.S. security government clearance and underwent routine training on efforts by hostile nation states to acquire sensitive information. The information he provided included details about a large-scale U.S. military exercise in the Indo-Pacific region, which disclosed the location and timing of naval force movements. The Chinese officer claimed that the information was needed for maritime economic research to inform investment decisions. Zhao used encrypted communications to transmit the information to the intelligence officer and destroyed evidence to conceal their relationship.
FBI’s assistant director in charge of the Los Angeles Field Office, Donald Alway, stated, Mr. Zhao abdicated his oath to the United States and put American troops in harm’s way when he accessed and handed over sensitive information to China for a payout. Zhao was one of two Navy sailors based in California who were charged last summer for providing sensitive military information to the Chinese. The second sailor, Jinchao Wei, known as Patrick Wei, was arrested in 2023 for providing detailed information on weapons systems and aircraft aboard the USS Essex and other amphibious assault ships. Wei is facing the possibility of a life sentence if convicted. He has pleaded not guilty, and the case is ongoing.
U.S. officials have long expressed concern about China’s espionage activities, with criminal cases being pursued against Beijing intelligence operatives who have stolen sensitive government and commercial information. The cases involving the two Navy sailors are seen as examples of China’s audacity in attempting to gain insight into U.S. military operations. The U.S. Justice Department, through its actions and prosecutions, aims to address China’s espionage threat.
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