A federal jury in Salt Lake City has found a Texas man guilty of sexually assaulting a female passenger on a flight from Chicago to Salt Lake City. The verdict was delivered against Robert Sutherland MacLean, also known as "Bobby," aged 59, from Frisco, Texas. He was charged with abusive sexual contact on April 18, 2023.
The incident occurred on March 1, 2022, during the flight when MacLean allegedly made inappropriate statements and assaulted the woman multiple times in the first-class cabin. Prosecuting attorney Bryan N. Reeves stated during the trial that MacLean "unlawfully and illegally imposed his will upon another person—sexually assaulting her over and over again on that late night flight."
MacLean is scheduled for sentencing on October 1, 2025, at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in Salt Lake City before Senior U.S. District Court Judge Dale A. Kimball.
Acting United States Attorney Felice John Viti of the District of Utah announced the verdict. The case was investigated by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office with assistance from the Salt Lake City Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Michael P. Kennedy and Bryan N. Reeves are prosecuting.
