Florida Man Found Guilty by Jury

SOUTH BEND – Late yesterday, Stephen Forte, 63 years old, of Lakeland, Florida, was found guilty of two felony counts after a one-day jury trial presided over by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty, announced Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay.

Specifically, Forte was found guilty of abusive sexual contact and interference with the duties of a flight crew member, both committed within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States for conduct occurring on a flight from St. Petersburg, Florida to South Bend, Indiana.

Sentencing is scheduled for September 5, 2025, at 10:00 am. Any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the District Court Judge after consideration of federal statutes and the United States Sentencing Guidelines.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the St. Joseph County Airport Authority Department of Public Safety.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jerome W. McKeever and Hannah T Jones.