Navy Officer Sentenced to 41 Months for Cyberstalking Ex-Wife and Her Boyfriend

The lieutenant commander was convicted of a sustained campaign of harassment after his marriage ended.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 6:04pm

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A Navy lieutenant commander has been sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for cyberstalking his ex-wife and her boyfriend over several years, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland announced. Jason Michael Leidel, 45, of Silver Spring, Maryland, was convicted in December 2025 after a two-week jury trial and sentenced by U.S. District Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing problem of cyberstalking and the serious legal consequences that can result from such behavior, especially when it involves a pattern of harassment and abuse targeting former partners and their new relationships.

The details

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Leidel waged a sustained campaign of harassment after his marriage ended. He repeatedly sent emails containing false allegations in an attempt to get his ex-wife fired from her job as a special education teacher and to have her and their children evicted from their home. He also filed bogus child protective services complaints against her. When his ex-wife began dating someone new, Leidel extended his harassment to her boyfriend, filing false claims that the man was abusing children and emailing his supervisors in an effort to have him investigated and fired.

  • In December 2025, Leidel was convicted after a two-week jury trial.
  • On March 15, 2026, Leidel was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison.

The players

Jason Michael Leidel

A 45-year-old Navy lieutenant commander from Silver Spring, Maryland, who was convicted of cyberstalking his ex-wife and her boyfriend.

Lydia Kay Griggsby

The U.S. District Judge who sentenced Leidel to 41 months in federal prison.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Leidel out on bail pending his appeal.

The takeaway

This sentencing serves as a warning that cyberstalking and other forms of online harassment will be taken seriously by the justice system, and that perpetrators can face significant prison time for such crimes.