A federal jury convicted Newton resident Jonathan Alan Lefman, 48, of sexually abusing a 17-year-old girl on a JetBlue flight from Puerto Rico to Boston in August 2024.

Lefman was found guilty Friday, Oct. 16, of one count of abusive sexual contact in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States following a three-day trial, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts announced. U.S. District Court Judge Julia E. Kobick scheduled sentencing for Jan. 12, 2027.

The charge stems from an Aug. 30, 2024, JetBlue flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Boston. Lefman was traveling with his wife and four children, federal prosecutors said.

During the flight and while waiting to deplane in Boston, Lefman repeatedly reached his hand between the back and bottom of the seat in front of him and touched the teenage girl's buttocks without her permission, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. The victim was seated directly in front of him.

On at least one occasion, the victim saw Lefman's reflection leaning between the seats in the seatback monitor in front of her, prosecutors said. She then used her cell phone to record video of Lefman's fingers protruding between the back and bottom of her seat.

The victim also recorded video of Lefman on the jet bridge as passengers exited the plane. After deplaning, an adult relative of the victim who had been seated in a different row confronted Lefman and reported his conduct to a JetBlue supervisor, showing the video as evidence, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

When confronted, Lefman claimed he had been stretching and apologized, according to court documents cited by CBS News Boston. In an interview with Massachusetts State Police, Lefman was asked if the fingers in the picture looked familiar. He reportedly replied, "Not really, no."

Lefman was arrested in February 2025 and indicted by a federal grand jury the following month, according to federal prosecutors.

No statement from Lefman's defense attorney appears in public records or coverage as of publication.

"This verdict delivers justice for a young teen who showed remarkable courage following an appalling act," FBI Boston Special Agent in Charge Ted E. Docks said in a statement.

Lefman faces up to two years in prison, five years to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.