A Boston dad has been convicted of repeatedly fondling a teen girl aboard a JetBlue flight — while on the plane with his wife and four kids.
Jonathan Alan Lefman, 48, was found guilty after a three-day jury trial of sexually abusing a 17-year-old girl seated in front of him on a Boston-bound flight from Puerto Rico on Aug. 30, 2024, the US Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts announced on Thursday.
Lefman was sitting next to his 16-year-old son when he repeatedly wedged his hand between the back and bottom of the seat in front of him to touch the girl’s buttocks without her permission, according to prosecutors.
The teen girl saw the creep dad’s reflection leaning between the seats in the seatback monitor in front of her, and was able to take a picture of his fingers protruding between the back and bottom of her seat, officials said.
Lefman was travelling with his wife and four kids, with his then-16-year-old son sat to the left of him while he fondled the girl, according to an affidavit in support of an application for a criminal complaint.
After getting off the plane, one of the girl’s adult female family members who was traveling in a different row confronted Lefman and reported his perverse behavior to a JetBlue supervisor — showing a video of his fingers as evidence.
Lefman, who lives in a $2.3 million home in Newton, claimed he had been stretching and apologized. When confronted with whether his fingers captured on camera were familiar, he told investigators, “Not really, no.”
He was found guilty of one count of abusive 𝘴єxual contact while in the special aircraft jurisdiction. He is slated to be sentenced on Jan. 12, 2027.
He faces up to two years in prison, five years to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
“The defendant repeatedly sexually abused a minor who was simply trying to travel safely aboard a commercial flight,” US Attorney Leah B. Foley said in a statement.
“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,” Foley said.
“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,” Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division, added in a statement.
“The FBI is fully committed to protecting children and ensuring those who exploit or 𝘢bu𝘴e them, like Mr. Lefman, are brought to justice.”
