Newark man sentenced to 60 years for sexually assaulting 3 women
Authorities said he falsely claimed the victims and their families were in danger from a street gang and told each victim that having sex with him would protect them from harm.
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A Newark man has been sentenced to 60 years in state prison for sexually assaulting three women, according to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.
Salaam Leeks, 39, was convicted June 12, 2025, on three counts of sexual assault and two counts of conspiracy to commit aggravated sexual assault.
Prosecutors said Leeks sexually assaulted three victims in Newark in 2015 and 2016. Authorities said he falsely claimed the victims and their families were in danger from a street gang and told each victim that having sex with him would protect them from harm.
Prosecutors said the victims engaged in sexual acts with Leeks under coercion and without their freely given consent.
“Today's sentence brings meaningful relief and a sense of justice to the three victims who courageously came forward and testified years after being manipulated, threatened, and sexually assaulted by this defendant,” Assistant Prosecutor Meredith Mona said.
Leeks is not eligible for parole because he was on parole supervision for life when he committed the offenses.
