SHARED MILITARY INTELLIGENCE WITH THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Petty Officer WZ (26), of Monterey Park, California, pleaded guilty, on October 10, 2023, to transmitting “sensitive U.S. military information” to the Chinese government.
WZ, who worked at a naval base at Port Hueneme, (Ventura County, California), collected and transmitted “sensitive U.S. military information to [a Chinese] intelligence officer in violation of his official duties.”
In a written statement, Assistant Attorney General for National Security Matthew G. Olsen, noted that “The intelligence services of the People’s Republic of China actively target clearance holders across the military, seeking to entice them with money to provide sensitive government information …. When contacted by his co-conspirator, rather than reporting it to the Navy, the defendant chose greed over protecting the national security of the United States. He is now being held accountable for his crimes. To others tempted to put personal profit ahead of patriotic duty, know that we are committed to identifying you and bringing you to justice.”
With sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 8, 2024, WZ faces up to 20 years in prison -- five years for the conspiracy count and 15 years for the bribery charge.
Ironically, he’ll be secreted away for a long time ….
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