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 incident occurred during a late-night flight, where Robert Sutherland MacLean, also known as “Bobby,” aged 59 and from Frisco, Texas, was accused of grabbing and groping the woman multiple times without her consent.
MacLean was charged with abusive sexual contact on April 18, 2023. According to court documents and trial evidence, the assault took place on March 1, 2022, in the first-class cabin. Prosecutor Bryan N. Reeves stated during the trial that “Mr. MacLean unlawfully and illegally imposed his will upon another person—sexually assaulting her over and over again on that late night flight.”
The sentencing hearing for MacLean is set for October 1, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., presided over by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Dale A. Kimball at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in Salt Lake City.
Acting United States Attorney Felice John Viti of the District of Utah announced the verdict. The FBI’s Salt Lake City Field Office conducted the investigation with assistance from the Salt Lake City Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorneys Michael P. Kennedy and Bryan N. Reeves are handling prosecution duties for this case.
