Julie Watson, Associated Press

Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred Sheppard made the accusation at a hearing in federal court in San Diego in urging the judge not to release Jinchao Wei, who was arrested last week on a rarely used espionage charge.

The two sailors, both based in California, were charged with similar moves to provide sensitive intelligence to the Chinese.

An adult and a teen were charged in the shooting, and police said they were seeking a third suspect.