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Two individuals have admitted to committing sexual assault on separate flights arriving in Seattle, while prosecutors caution that more reports of similar incidents are still being received.
Jack Roberson, 69, pleaded guilty on Friday for an incident that occurred on a flight from Vancouver in July of 2023.
Mr. Roberson touched a fifteen-year-old girl’s thigh and then slid his hand up her leg and under her skirt.
Upon arriving in Seattle, Mr. Roberson was arrested after the victim informed her guardian.
Last week, a different person admitted to committing abusive sexual contact after a separate incident on a flight from Phoenix on March 20, 2023.
Duane Brick, aged 53, moved the hand of the woman sitting beside him and rested it on his groin, while she appeared to be sleeping. He proceeded to reach under her skirt and touch her breast.
The duo are scheduled to receive sentencing in June.
Tessa M Gorman, the US Attorney, announced that there has been an increase in reports of women being sexually assaulted on US airplanes, leading to these prosecutions.
Ms. Gorman stated in a press release that there has been a concerning rise in sexual abuse incidents on aircraft in the Western District of Washington.
In August of last year, we made it clear that we will not tolerate any form of attack. Unfortunately, we are still receiving reports of accusations and are actively investigating and prosecuting these incidents.
The lawyer mentioned an August 2023 statement that involved the cases of Mr. Roberson and Mr. Brick. According to officials, 2023 had seen an increase in the number of cases.
In 2018, the FBI looked into 27 incidents of sexual misconduct occurring on aircraft. However, by 2022, that figure had increased significantly to 90 cases.
As of August 2023, there were 62 cases being investigated.
The pattern seemed to persist, as the lawyer declared a new accusation within the last seven days.
Abhinav Kumar, a 38-year-old man from India, was brought to court for an accusation of inappropriate sexual behavior. He is said to have harassed a teenager who was sitting next to him on an Emirates flight to Seattle on February 18th.
On Friday, he entered a plea of “not guilty” and is set to stand trial before US District Judge Jamal N Whitehead on May 6, 2024.
FBI special agent Richard A Collodi stated in August 2023 that the bureau is dedicated to investigating these types of crimes.
He stated that it is crucial for individuals to comprehend that those who engage in such offenses while on an airplane will face consequences.
I am worried about the rise in these occurrences and want to assure travelers that the FBI and our collaborators will keep investigating and bringing to justice anyone who targets individuals on flights.
In 2022, the FBI clarified that instances of sexual assault on aircrafts are commonly unique compared to other situations, as the victims typically do not know the perpetrator.
According to a blog post by the FBI, offenders have multiple opportunities to identify and assess potential targets, such as while at the airport before departure, during the boarding process, or after finding their seats.
Their eagerness to locate a target and take prompt action highlights the audacity of these individuals. They frequently have a prior record of sexual assault and possess the ability to identify potential victims due to years of practice.
Currently, the FBI reported an influx in cases being fully investigated for criminal charges. This rise in reports is potentially attributed to victims feeling more empowered to share their experiences.
Source: independent.co.uk
