In a shocking incident, a man from Northern California has admitted to sexually assaulting a fellow passenger on a flight from South Korea to San Francisco earlier this year.
Rajesh Kumar Kapoor, a 57-year-old from Sacramento, pleaded guilty on December 19 to abusive sexual contact, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Kapoor confessed to intentionally touching the victim’s inner thigh without her consent, an act he carried out to harass her.
The troubling event took place on January 16, 2024, during the long international flight. Just a few months later, in May, a federal grand jury formally charged Kapoor, accusing him of also touching the victim’s breasts without permission. These allegations added weight to the case, underscoring the severity of his actions.
Kapoor is now facing serious consequences. When he is sentenced on March 27, he could receive up to two years in federal prison and be fined as much as $250,000.
The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California, Ismail J. Ramsey, made it clear that such behavior will not be tolerated. He urged anyone who experiences or witnesses such incidents to come forward and report them to law enforcement, emphasizing that these crimes are taken seriously and will be prosecuted.
“People flying on airplanes should never have to worry about being sexually assaulted during their journey,” Ramsey stated.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of standing up against inappropriate behavior and ensuring that everyone can travel without fear of harassment.
