Japan-based US Navy chief charged with espionage

A U.S. Navy sailor stationed in Japan is charged with espionage and speaking protection data to a overseas citizen. 

Chief Petty Officer Hearth Controlman Bryce Pedicini, assigned to the Japan-based guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins, is accused of smuggling categorised data and giving the knowledge to an worker of a overseas authorities between November 2022 and February 2023 in Hampton Roads, Virginia. 

Charging paperwork obtained by Fox Information Digital allege Pedicini additionally tried to cross images off a pc that handles categorised data to a overseas nationwide whereas stationed in Yokosuka, Japan. 

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Pedicini was arrested shortly after the tried espionage was found. He’s been in pre-trial confinement since Might 2023 and was set to have a listening to in San Diego on Wednesday. 

“A sailor assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins (DDG 76) is suspected of mishandling categorised paperwork and data,” a U.S. Naval Floor Power spokesperson instructed Fox Information Digital. “The incident stays below investigation and authorized proceedings proceed.” 

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Initially from Tennessee, Pedicini enlisted within the Navy in 2008 and superior to chief in 2022, based on his service report. He beforehand served on the USS McFaul and the USS Curtis Wilbur earlier than reporting to the USS Higgins final 12 months.