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Or US Navy sailor has ever been arrested in charge with espionage. The
indictment alleged that Way Jen Chow Way Wi, also known as Patrick Way,
was an active duties sailor on the amphibious assault ship USS Essex Station and naval
based San Diego. In his role as a machinist mate, Way he held
at US security cleans and had access to sensitive national defense information about the ship's
weapons, propulsion, and desolated desselination systems. Amphibious assault ships like the Essex
resembles small aircraft carriers and allow the US military to protect project power maintain present
by serving as the cornerstone or the US Navy's amphibious readiness and expeditionary strike capabilities.
The crime of espionage under US Code Section seven nine four has never been
charged in this district, and until today, it only been charged five times
in the last six years across the country. The statutes reserved for the most
serious circumstances involving the passage of National Defense Information intendant to harm the US or
for the benefit of a foreign power. This is what the indictment alleged.
On February twenty twenty two, Way began communicating with an intelligence officer from the
People's Republic of China, who requests of that Way provide information about the USS
Essex and other Navy ships. A Chinese officer tasked Way with passing in photos,
videos, and documents concerning US Navy ships and their systems. The two
agree to hide their communications by deleting records of their conversations and using encrypted methods
of calm at the regress. At the request of the intelligence officer, Way
sent photographs and videos of the Essex, disclosed the locations of various Navy ships,
and described defensive web of the Essex between March twenty twenty two and the
present, and exchange for the information, the intelligence officer was paid thousands of
dollars over the course of the conspiracy. The indictment further alleged that in June
of twenty twenty two, they sent the intelligence officer approximately thirty technical or Way
sent the intelligence officer of China thirty technical and mechanical manuals. The manuals contained
export control warnings and detail the operations of multiple systems aboard the Essex and similarships,
including power steering aircraft, and deck elevators. The intelligence officer confirmed with
Way that at least ten of those manuals were useful to them. For passage
of those materials, he paid them five thousand dollars. In June twenty twenty
two, the intelligence officer requested that the Way provide information about the number and
training of US Marines during an upcoming international maritime exercise. Way sent multiple photographs
of military equipment. Way also sent an additional twenty six technical and mechanical manuals
and related to the power, structure and operation of the Essex. The manuals
contained warnings that this was technical data subject to export controls and that it was
deemed critical technology by the US Navy. The indictment further alleged in October twenty
twenty two, Way sent a technical manual to the intelligence officer describing the layout
and location of certain departments, including birthing quarters and weapons systems. Specifically,
Way sent to weapons control system manual for the Essex and similar ships. The
manual contained export controlled data that could not be exported without a license from the
US government. The intelligence officer continued to request information in twenty twenty three,
including information about the overhaul and upgrades to the Essex. Specifically, he requests
a blueprint, specifically those related to modifications to the flight deck. Way provided
the information related to the repairs, as well as other mechanical problems with similar
vessels. During the alleged conspiracy, the intelligence officer instructed Way to gather US
military information that was not public and admonished him not to discuss their relationship and
destroy any evidence regarding the nature of their relationship and their activities. Petty Officer
Way, who as a service member was entrusted with the nation's secrets, was
accused of selling out his country and betraying his oath to the Navy. The
case was investigated by the FBI and the Naval in Criminal Investigative Service, and
as being prosecuted by US attorneys John Parmley and Friendshiphard