US Navy Sailor Jailed For Sharing Confidential Military Information With Chinese Intelligence

Petty Officer Wenheng Zhao, a sailor in the United States Navy, was found guilty of transmitting confidential military information to a Chinese intelligence officer in return for payments. He was sentenced to 27 months in jail and a $5,500 fine. In October 2023, Zhao, whose real name is Thomas Zhao, entered a guilty plea for taking a bribe and conspiring with the intelligence officer.

According to court records, Zhao, a 26-year-old Californian resident from Monterey Park, violated his pledge to serve the nation and put other service members in danger. Matthew G. Olsen, assistant attorney general, highlighted the seriousness of Zhao’s actions and said he is being held responsible for risking national security.

According to U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada of the Central District of California, Zhao’s betrayal of his country was regretted, who also highlighted the prompt action taken to remove him from the military and secure his federal prison sentence. Sentences are a reflection of the determination to find and bring to justice individuals who pose a threat to national security.

Larissa L. Knapp, the Executive Assistant Director of the FBI, emphasised the People’s Republic of China’s combined attempts to compromise U.S. national security. Zhao endangered others by giving private U.S. information to a PRC intelligence officer, highlighting the CCP’s contempt for legality to obtain intelligence advantages.

Zhao participated in a corrupt scheme between August 2021 and at least May 2023 when he was stationed at Naval Base Ventura County in Port Hueneme and had a U.S. security clearance. Plans for a massive maritime training exercise and important infrastructure details were among the sensitive military material he collected and transmitted in exchange for approximately $14,866 in 14 separate bribe payments. Zhao disregarded his official responsibilities and pledged to defend the United States by using encrypted communication methods, breaking into restricted military locations, and destroying evidence to cover up his actions.

The IRS-Criminal Investigation supported the FBI Los Angeles Field Office’s Counterintelligence and Cyber Division during the investigation. The case was investigated by Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the Central District of California, showing the cooperative efforts to prevent treason and uphold national security.

Reference: OPA

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