Man Found Guilty of Sexual Assault During Flight to Washington
In a recent trial in Virginia, a federal jury convicted a 38-year-old man for sexually assaulting a female passenger aboard a domestic flight last year. The verdict stems from an incident in August 2024, when the victim woke up during the plane’s descent to find her seatmate’s hand on her body. Prosecutors said the defendant feigned sleep but persisted despite repeated resistance.
Passenger Allegedly Assaulted Woman While Pretending to Sleep
The incident occurred on August 29, 2024, aboard a flight from Rhode Island’s T.F. Green International Airport to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. According to court records, the woman, who was seated in the middle seat, awoke just before landing to discover the man’s hand on her. The defendant was reportedly wearing a sleep mask and attempted to appear asleep while continuing to place his hand on the woman, even after she repeatedly removed it.
Investigation, Arrest and Upcoming Sentencing
After landing, the victim reported the assault to airline staff and later to authorities, providing a photograph of the accused. The Federal Bureau of Investigation confirmed his identity through the photo and other records. The man was arrested in August 2025 and subsequently indicted on federal charges of abusive sexual contact and assault.
He has been living in the United States without lawful immigration status, according to court filings. A federal judge will determine his sentence on May 7, with potential prison time of up to two years under U.S. sentencing guidelines.
