TAMPA, Fla. – Stephen Forte, 63, of Lakeland, Florida, was convicted Monday on two felony counts following a one-day jury trial in the United States District Court in Tampa. Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay announced the verdict delivered by the jury.
Forte was found guilty of both abusive sexual contact and interference with the “duties of a flight crew member.”
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The charges stemmed from his flight traveling from St. Petersburg, Florida, to South Bend, Indiana.
The sentencing hearing for Forte is scheduled for September 5, 2025, at 10:00 am. Judge Leichty will determine the specific sentence.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted the investigation into this incident, with assistance from the St. Joseph County Airport Authority Department of Public Safety. Assistant United States Attorneys Jerome W. McKeever and Hannah T Jones prosecuted the case.
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