Navy Officer from Montgomery County Convicted of Cyberstalking Ex-Wife

The federal jury’s conviction of a Montgomery County man on cyberstalking charges has highlighted the growing concerns around digital harassment and its devastating impact on victims.

Jason Michael Leidel, a 45-year-old active Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy residing in Silver Spring, was found guilty of one count of cyberstalking following an extensive two-week trial. The verdict was announced by U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes, working in coordination with various federal and local law enforcement agencies across Maryland.

According to court documents and trial evidence, Leidel orchestrated a methodical, years-long harassment campaign targeting his ex-wife, a special education teacher at a local public school, and her new partner. Prosecutors successfully demonstrated how Leidel repeatedly sent emails containing fabricated allegations in a deliberate attempt to jeopardize his ex-wife’s professional career and financial stability.

The evidence presented in court revealed the systematic nature of Leidel’s harassment. He made persistent efforts to have his former spouse and their children evicted from their residence by distributing false communications to relevant parties. The harassment intensified when his ex-wife began a new relationship.

“This case demonstrates the serious nature of cyberstalking and how digital communications can be weaponized to cause significant harm,” said a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, who requested anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly about the case details.

Cyberstalking incidents have seen a concerning rise nationwide in recent years. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, approximately 1.3 million people are victims of stalking annually in the United States, with electronic monitoring and harassment comprising an increasing percentage of these cases.

Law enforcement officials noted that Leidel’s military position as a Lieutenant Commander made the case particularly sensitive. The Navy has not yet commented on how this conviction might affect his military career, though military personnel convicted of federal crimes typically face disciplinary action under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

The jury was particularly troubled by evidence showing Leidel’s numerous false reports to child protective services against his ex-wife. When she began dating her new partner, identified in court only as Victim 2, Leidel escalated his behavior by filing fabricated child abuse allegations against him. The prosecution demonstrated how Leidel repeatedly contacted Victim 2’s workplace supervisors with baseless accusations, deliberately attempting to trigger investigations that would threaten his employment.

Cyberstalking experts consulted during the trial testified that such behavior follows a typical pattern where perpetrators exploit systems designed for protection—such as child welfare reporting—to further victimize their targets.

“This type of harassment can be particularly difficult for victims because it often continues long after a relationship has ended and exploits legitimate institutional processes in ways that are difficult to defend against,” explained Dr. Emma Richards, a digital harassment expert who was not involved in the case but has studied similar patterns of behavior.

Leidel now faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby has scheduled the sentencing hearing for March 12, 2026. The final sentence will be determined after careful consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and various statutory factors relevant to the case.

The successful prosecution is part of a broader effort by federal authorities to combat digital harassment and cyberstalking. The Justice Department has increased resources dedicated to prosecuting these cases, recognizing their serious impact on victims’ safety, mental health, and economic security.

Advocates for stalking victims have praised the conviction, noting that such cases often go unprosecuted due to jurisdictional challenges and the complexity of gathering digital evidence across multiple platforms and devices.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office did not provide a mugshot of Leidel in their press release, in accordance with federal policies regarding the release of such images prior to sentencing.