In a shocking revelation, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed on March 27 that the FBI has initiated a federal investigation into a harrowing case of sexual harassment aboard an American Airlines flight from Chicago to Seattle. A 54-year-old passenger now faces severe charges for repeatedly assaulting a fellow traveler during the flight.

The incident, which occurred on March 18 while the aircraft was en route from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), has prompted a swift response from authorities. The passenger is charged with abusive sexual contact after allegedly making unwanted and unlawful physical contact with a victim seated next to him.

Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Following the arrival of the flight in Seattle, both the victim and the accused were immediately interviewed by authorities. On March 23, the suspect was arrested, and he appeared before the United States District Court in Seattle the following day. The DOJ confirmed that after the third instance of harassment, the victim bravely alerted a flight attendant, who promptly relocated them to a safer seat.

Despite vehemently denying the allegations, the accused was released on bond and is set to face a preliminary hearing on April 7. If convicted, the defendant could face up to two years in federal prison under the charge of abusive sexual contact.

Previous Allegations and Airline’s Bold Action
This case is not an isolated incident, as the DOJ has uncovered prior allegations of inappropriate behavior by the defendant. In fact, the FBI’s investigation has revealed two earlier instances of harassment linked to the accused. In response to the disturbing events, American Airlines wasted no time in banning the individual from all future flights, sending a strong message that such behavior will not be tolerated.

Flight AA2076, which was the scene of the harassment, was one of two American Airlines flights traveling from Chicago to Seattle that day. Both flights were operated by Boeing 737-800 aircraft, as tracked by Flightradar24.

This unsettling incident serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for more stringent in-flight safety measures. As the investigation continues, the case highlights the unyielding commitment of law enforcement and airlines to protect passengers from harassment and ensure accountability in the skies.

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