A U.S. Navy Petty Officer, Wenheng Zhao, pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy and receiving bribes. He had been conveying sensitive U.S. military details to a Chinese intelligence officer. The 26-year-old sailor, known as Thomas Zhao, is awaiting sentencing on January 8, 2024, as indicated by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Central District of California.
The Monterey Park resident worked at the Naval Base Ventura County in Port Hueneme and possessed a U.S. security clearance. Zhao acknowledged his participation to illegally gather and dispatch confidential U.S. military data to quickly understand, and thus, violating his professional obligations to the United States and the oath he took, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office.
From August 2021 to at least May 2023, Zhao received a minimum of $14,866 in 14 distinct bribe payments from the intelligence officer. In exchange, Zhao unlawfully gathered and dispatched sensitive, non-public U.S. Navy information, incorporated operational security, military trainings, exercises, and critical infrastructure.
Zhao has confessed to relaying specific details of a large-scale maritime training exercise in the Pacific, operational guidelines, and electrical layouts and blueprints for a Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar setup in Okinawa, Japan. He was able to gain restricted admission to military and naval installations for evidence collection and recordings.
Zhao used advanced encrypted communication systems for data transmission, evidence destruction, and for camouflaging his association with the Chinese intelligence officer.
United States Attorney Martin Estrada stated, "Officer Zhao accepted bribes from a foreign adversary, thereby betraying his country and fellow service members. Investigators diligently uncovered the scheme, showing our commitment to acting decisively to protect our nation."
Assistant Attorney General for National Security Matthew G. Olsen added that the intelligence services of the People's Republic of China (PRC) are habitually trying to persuade clearance holders across the military to divulge sensitive government information for money. Olsen noted, "When contacted by his co-conspirator, rather than reporting it to the Navy, the Defendant chose personal gain over national security of the United States."
Donald Alway, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, emphasized that Zhao endangered his fellow servicemen by "yielding to Chinese government overtures."
Justice officials caution that those compromising national security for personal benefit will face legal consequences. A.D. Cruz Jr., Acting Special Agent in Charge of Naval Criminal Investigative Service, stated, "To adversaries and those working on their behalf: we will find you and hold you to account. Seek cooperation with NCIS or FBI offices before we come for you."
