A Washington state man pleaded guilty Thursday to serious assault after touching a woman on a plane, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington.
Desmond Bostic, 25, pleaded guilty in a Seattle courtroom and could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison. On an Alaska Airlines flight from San Diego to Seattle in June 2023, Bostic was seated in an aisle seat when he invaded the personal space of a female passenger next to him, court documents said. She touched the woman’s thigh and grabbed her buttocks as she stood up to let another passenger in the same row pass. according to Go to press release.
“In the plea agreement, Bostic admitted to touching the victim to arouse sexual desire,” the press release states.
According to a press release from the Department of Justice, Bostic moved to leave the same passenger and touched her again.
Alaska Airlines passenger arrested by FBI after repeatedly molesting woman on plane https://t.co/TS35gBBY59
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The incident was discovered after the victim reported it to the crew upon landing, and an investigation by authorities began. Bostic left the airport, but a federal grand jury indicted him on September 27, 2023, and the FBI arrested him in February. (Related: Airline says video appears to show a frustrated passenger slapping a pilot who tells him his flight is delayed)
As part of the plea agreement, both the prosecution and defense recommended a nine-month prison sentence. However, the press release states that U.S. District Judge Jamal Whitehead has the authority to impose any sentence allowed by law. The FBI conducted the investigation with assistance from the Port of Seattle Police Department.
Sentencing for Bostic is scheduled for July 18, 2024
