BOSTON – A Newton, Mass. man was convicted on Oct. 16, 2026 following a three-day jury trial, of making repeated sexual contact with a 17-year-old female passenger (minor victim) seated directly in front of him onboard a flight from Puerto Rico to Boston 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. U.S. District Court Judge Julia E. Kobick scheduled sentencing for Jan. 12, 2027. Lefman was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in February 2025 and later indicted by a federal grand jury in March 2025. “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. 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.”
“This verdict delivers justice for a young teen who showed remarkable courage following an appalling act. No one should ever be subjected to such harmful and predatory conduct—least of all in a confined, public space where she was entitled to feel safe,” said Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “The FBI is fully committed to protecting children and ensuring those who exploit or abuse them, like Mr. Lefman, are brought to justice.”
On Aug. 30, 2024, Lefman was a passenger onboard a JetBlue flight flying from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Boston with his wife and four children. On multiple occasions during the flight and while on the ground waiting to deplane in Boston, Lefman engaged in abusive sexual contact with the minor victim. 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. On at least one occasion when he did so, the minor victim saw Lefman’s reflection leaning between the seats in the seatback monitor in front of her. On the last occasion when he touched or attempted to touch her buttocks, the minor victim was able to use her cell phone camera to take a video of Lefman’s fingers protruding between the back and bottom of the minor victim’s seat. Upon exiting the aircraft, while still on the jet bridge, the minor victim took a video of Lefman as he got off the aircraft.
After deplaning, the minor victim’s adult female family member who had been traveling in a different row reported Lefman’s conduct to a JetBlue supervisor and confronted Lefman, showing the video of his fingers to support her statement.
The charge of abusive sexual contact while in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States provides for a sentence of up to two years in prison, five years to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
U.S. Attorney Foley, FBI SAC Docks and Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by Boston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elianna J. Nuzum and Julissa Walsh of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.