On Wednesday, August 20, a federal jury found Jinchao “Patrick” Wei, a 25-year-old U.S. Navy machinist mate, guilty on six charges, including conspiracy to commit espionage, espionage, and the unlawful export and conspiracy to export technical data on defense articles in violation of the Arms Export Control Act and International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

The case stems from Wei’s August 2023 arrest by the FBI, after investigators discovered he had shared extensive details and photos of the USS Essex (LHD-2)—including its weapons systems—with a Chinese intelligence officer posing on social media as a naval enthusiast working for a shipbuilding firm in China. Wei received $12,000 over about 18 months in exchange for the information.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on December 1.