Father Convicted After Making ‘Repeated Sexual Contact’ with a Girl, 17, On Flight
Photos from a video capturing Jonathan Alan Lefman reaching between the seats in front of himCredit: U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts
Jonathan Alan Lefman, 48, has been convicted of abusive sexual contact, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts, announced on Thursday, Oct. 22
Lefman made “repeated sexual contact” with a 17-year-old female passenger on board a plane in August 2024
Prosecutors say he inappropriately touched her buttocks by reaching his fingers between the plane seats
A Massachusetts father has been convicted after prosecutors say he made “repeated sexual contact” with a 17-year-old female passenger on board a plane in August 2024.
Jonathan Alan Lefman, 48, was convicted of “one count of abusive sexual contact while in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts, announced on Thursday, Oct. 22.
Lefman was arrested in February 2025 and indicted the following month. He faces up to two years in prison, five years to life of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000, according to Thursday’s press release.
On the day of the incident, Aug. 30, 2024, Lefman was on a JetBlue flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Boston with his wife and four children.
He engaged in abusive sexual contact with the minor victim on “multiple occasions.”
“Specifically, Lefman worked his hand in between the area between the back and bottom of the seat directly in front of him, where the minor victim was seated, and touched the minor victim’s buttocks without her permission,” the press release states.
The victim caught on when she saw Lefman’s reflection in the seatback monitor in front of her.
She used her cell phone to record Lefman’s fingers “protruding” between the bottom back of her seat.
An adult family member sitting in a different row contacted a JetBlue supervisor and confronted Lefman after deplaning, per the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
“The defendant repeatedly sexually abused a minor who was simply trying to travel safely aboard a commercial flight,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley.
“No one should have to fear being sexually assaulted, whether in the air or on the ground,” Foley’s statement continued. “Today’s verdict holds the defendant accountable for his disturbing conduct and sends a clear message that those who prey on vulnerable passengers will face justice.”
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PEOPLE has reached out to Lefman’s attorney and JetBlue for comment.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
Source: Crime
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