LOS ANGELES: In a distressing incident on a flight from Cleveland to Los Angeles in February 2020, a US man, Mohammad Jawad Ansari (50), has been sentenced to nearly two years in jail for sexually assaulting a sleeping passenger.
During the flight, Ansari placed his hand on the inner thigh of a woman who was asleep in the middle seat. Wearing a dress, the victim woke up, immediately pushed Ansari’s hand away, and reported the assault to cabin crew members.
Despite initially denying the charge of abusive sexual contact, Ansari was found guilty following a four-day trial in May, as confirmed by the Department of Justice.
The impact of Ansari’s actions on the victim was profound. Prosecutors emphasized that the groping left her shocked and afraid, and witnesses testified that she sobbed for the duration of the flight. Additionally, the victim now struggles to sleep on flights due to constant concern about her safety.
In response to these actions, US District Judge Fernando Aenlle-Rocha sentenced Ansari to 21 months in jail and ordered him to pay over $40,000 in penalties. This case underscores the importance of taking such incidents seriously and holding individuals accountable for their actions, especially when it comes to ensuring the safety and well-being of passengers during air travel.
