A federal judge sentenced a 40-year-old man from Northern California to 30 days in prison for sexually assaulting a 20-year-old woman during a flight.

According to a San Francisco Chronicle report, Jeff Lorenzo from Winters in Yolo County pled guilty to the charges stemming from an incident on an inbound flight to Sacramento. The sentencing occurred on Tuesday by U.S. Magistrate Judge Sean C. Riordan, who imposed the prison term after reviewing the details of the case.

Prosecutors detailed that the assault happened on Aug. 9, 2024, during a two-hour journey from Seattle. They explained that Lorenzo repeatedly made unwanted physical contact with the woman seated next to him, including actions that violated her personal space without any permission.

Details Emerge from Flight Incident

The incident involved Lorenzo picking up his fallen phone in a manner that placed his head near the woman's crotch area. Prosecutors noted this was part of a pattern of inappropriate behavior that continued throughout the flight duration.

He also grazed the woman's leg with his hand at one point during the trip. Additionally, Lorenzo pressed his arm against her breast multiple times, actions described as intentional and non-consensual by the legal team.

These repeated touches formed the basis of the sexual assault charges against him. The woman, aged 20 at the time, was on the flight heading to Sacramento when the events unfolded.

History of Harassment Allegations Surface

Coworkers of Lorenzo provided statements indicating he had a prior record of harassing women. Prosecutors used this information to argue for the severity of his actions in the airplane setting.

This background was highlighted in the sentencing statement to show a pattern of behavior. It helped underscore why the judge decided on a prison sentence rather than a lighter penalty.

Lorenzo, residing in the small town of Winters, faced federal charges due to the assault occurring on an aircraft. The case was handled in a federal court, given the interstate nature of the flight from Seattle.

Guilty Plea Leads to Quick Resolution

Lorenzo entered a guilty plea, which expedited the judicial process leading to his sentencing. This admission avoided a full trial and allowed the court to proceed directly to determining the punishment.

The 30-day prison term reflects the judge's assessment of the crime's impact on the victim. Prosecutors emphasized the vulnerability of passengers in confined spaces like airplanes during their arguments. Judge Riordan, a U.S. magistrate, oversaw the case in a federal jurisdiction appropriate for aviation-related offenses. The sentencing on Tuesday marked the conclusion of the legal proceedings initiated after the Aug. 9, 2024, flight.

Lorenzo Faces Consequences Ahead

Jeff Lorenzo, a 40-year-old resident of Winters in Yolo County, Northern California, received a 30-day prison sentence for sexually assaulting a 20-year-old woman on a flight from Seattle to Sacramento on Aug. 9, 2024. The assault involved repeated unwanted touches, including placing his head near her crotch, grazing her leg, and pressing his arm against her breast multiple times.

Prosecutors brought forward evidence of Lorenzo's history of harassing women, as reported by his coworkers, to explain the context of his behavior on the plane. The case unfolded in federal court because the incident occurred during air travel, leading to his guilty plea and sentencing by U.S. Magistrate Judge Sean C. Riordan on Tuesday.