Man accused of inappropriately touching teen on Boston flight, prosecutors say she took photos
BOSTON - A Massachusetts man was in federal court on Friday on charges that he inappropriately touched a teenage girl on a Boston-bound flight and prosecutors said they have cellphone evidence to prove it.
Girl took pictures of alleged assault
Newton resident Jonathan Lefman, 46, is accused of making repeated sexual contact with a 17-year-old girl who was sitting in front of him on a JetBlue flight from Puerto Rico to Boston last August. Prosecutors said Lefman was on the flight with his wife and four children, who were sitting in different areas on the plane.
Prosecutors said the girl took pictures of Lefman allegedly sticking his hand through the seat to touch her through her clothing.
"Claimed he had been stretching"
According to court documents, investigators who interviewed the girl said she "pointed her finger and made a sweeping motion left and right across her buttocks" to describe what happened. The girl was with extended family and one of her family members allegedly reported the incident to a JetBlue supervisor and confronted Lefman after the flight landed. According to court documents, Lefman "claimed he had been stretching and apologized."
Lefman agreed to an interview with Massachusetts State Police the day the flight landed and when asked if the fingers in the pictures looked familiar, he allegedly replied, "Not really, no."
Lefman left court without comment. He faces numerous restrictions for his release, including no contact with the girl and her family.
"Jonathan Lefman is completely innocent of these charges, we look forward to being vindicated in court," said his defense attorney outside court.
If convicted, Lefman faces up to two years behind bars and a $250,000 fine. If he travels by plane again, he has to stay within the U.S. and provide probation with an itinerary.
