US Navy sailor pleads guilty to conspiring with Chinese intelligence officer

In a startling turn of events, a U.S. Navy sailor arrested on national security charges has pleed guilty to conspiring with a Chinese intelligence officer and receiving bribes, as confirmed by Department of Justice (DOJ).

Petty Officer Wenheng Zhao, a 26-year-old resident of Monterey Park, California, initially entered a plea of not guilty but h a change of heart on Tuesday. In his plea, Zhao mitted to participating in a "corrupt scheme to collect and transmit sensitive U.S. military information to intelligence officer in violation of his official duties," according to a statement released by DOJ.

U.S. Navy sailor accepted $15,000 in bribes from China

sailor, who held a U.S. security clearance, confessed to accepting nearly $15,000 in bribes from Chinese intelligence officer between August 2021 and May of this year. This illicit activity occurred during Zhao's tenure at Naval Base Ventura County in Port Hueneme, California.

Zhao was arrested on August 3, alongside anor sailor, Jinchao Wei, aged 22, who faced espionage charges upon arriving for work at Naval Base San Diego. Notably, Wei pleed not guilty to charges in a San Diego federal court.

Zhao has been in custody since arrest

Zhao, also known as Thomas Zhao, has been in custody since his arrest and now faces possibility of a maximum 20-year sentence in federal prison. His sentencing is scheduled for January 8.

U.S. authorities have underscored seriousness of matter, with Matw Olsen, assistant attorney general for national security, pointing out that China's intelligence services actively target individuals with security clearances across military, enticing m with financial incentives to provide sensitive government information. Olsen also emphasized that rar than reporting situation to Navy when contacted by his co-conspirator, Zhao chose personal gain over national security of United States.

Heeding a stern warning, Olsen stated, "To ors tempted to put personal profit ahe of patriotic duty, know that we are committed to identifying you and bringing you to justice."

As of now, Chinese officials have not issued a public response to Zhao's guilty plea or remarks me by Matw Olsen. case serves as a sobering reminder of vigilance required to protect national security interests amid evolving espionage threats.