In a recent announcement, Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen revealed that two U.S. sailors have been arrested and accused of transmitting national security information to China. One of the sailors, Wenheng Zhao, also known as Thomas Zhao, has been sentenced to 27 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiring with a Chinese intelligence officer and receiving bribes. The Justice Department stated that Zhao betrayed his country and endangered those in the U.S. military.
Zhao, a 26-year-old from Monterey Park, California, held a U.S. security clearance and worked at Naval Base Ventura County in Port Hueneme. Between August 2021 and May 2023, he received at least 14 separate bribe payments totaling $14,866 from the Chinese intelligence officer. Zhao used his access to collect and transmit sensitive, non-public information about U.S. Navy operational security, military trainings and exercises, and critical infrastructure. He also obtained and transmitted plans for a large-scale maritime training exercise and confidential blueprints for a Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar system located in Okinawa, Japan.
Federal prosecutors alleged that Zhao used encrypted communication methods to transmit the information and attempted to conceal his relationship with the Chinese intelligence officer. He further destroyed evidence in an effort to cover up his actions. In addition to the prison sentence, Zhao has been ordered to pay a $5,500 fine.
The investigation into Zhao’s behavior was conducted by the FBI Los Angeles Field Office’s Counterintelligence and Cyber Division, along with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. The IRS also provided assistance in the case. Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen emphasized the Justice Department’s commitment to combating the Chinese government’s efforts to undermine national security and holding individuals accountable for violating the law.
This incident raises concerns about the potential threats posed by foreign intelligence operations and the need for heightened security measures within the U.S. military. The sentencing of Zhao serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding classified information and maintaining the integrity of national security protocols.
