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Former Navy sailor sentenced after making rape threats against women

Trigger warning: The following content includes graphic threats of rape, gang rape, abuse, sexual assault and assault.

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — A former Navy sailor was sentenced to two years in prison in Norfolk after threatening to kidnap, rape and humiliate at least five woman sailors after some rejected his romantic advances.

Courtesy: Western Tidewater Regional Jail

Over several months in 2023, 23-year-old Justin Leung used the internet to send threatening and unsolicited messages to the victims, including messages depicting his genitalia and himself masturbating, a release states.

Leung used a Snapchat burner account for some of the threats and harassment. For his first victim, he threatened to rape and gang rape her with fellow sailors. Posing as a Navel Officer, he threatened to humiliate her using the ships broadcasting system. He even went so far as to threaten to sex traffic victim one, and repeatedly used derogatory names.

For another victim, he create a fake Instagram account for himself, and a fake dating profile to pose as the victim. He then messaged victim 2 on Snapchat claiming to find her on a dating app, and proceeded to threaten her when she uncovered his identity.

Many of the victims were active duty sailors or veterans of the Navy. Leung also threatened to humiliate them or their female relatives through the “degradation” of their bodies, the release states.

Phone records revealed misogynistic statements from Leung such as “women bring nothing to the table except what [their] bodies have to offer,” and women “shouldn’t be allowed to choose [their partners.]”

One victim took protective measures because of Leung’s threats.