Navy finds Everett-based sailor guilty of threatening over social media to rape female recruit

LOS ANGELES -- Navy officials said a sailor based in Everett, Wash., has been found guilty of threatening to rape a California naval recruit in a social media posting and will now face internal discipline, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday.

The newspaper said that Nicholas Lord, a sailor aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, was accused of making the lewd comments last month after the woman posted a picture of herself and said she was joining the Navy.

"If I could and I knew you I'd hold you down and rape you," Lord wrote, authorities say.

The Times said that Navy Cmdr. Jeannie Groeneveld, public affairs officer for Naval Air Force Pacific, told the newspaper that Lord had been found guilty of using indecent language and would face an undisclosed punishment.

Lord served as a petty officer second-class and electrician's mate aboard the Nimitz.

The Times said Lord did not respond to messages seeking comment, and attempts to contact the female recruit were unsuccessful.

The initial comment immediately went viral, sparking controversy on Web pages for naval recruits. It remains unclear whether or not the woman has reported for basic training yet, the Times said.