A California woman recently filed a federal lawsuit against American Airlines, claiming she was sexually assaulted by a fellow passenger who had a known history of attacks in flight.
Barbara Morgan claims that the incident that took place on April 24, 2024 was assigned to the central seat during a one-night flight from San Francisco to Dallas.
During the flight, Morgan, a Texan man sitting next to her, 54-year-old Cherian Abraham, tried to touch her multiple times, placing his hand between his legs and trying to ignore her as if she were screaming. Report Affiliate Fox 32 from Chicago.
She accused the flight crew of not intervening and later argued that airline executives of not reporting the issue while flying.
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Barbara Morgan claims she was sexually assaulted on a 2024 American Airlines flight. (KDFW/WFLD)
According to the US Lawyer's Office for the Western District of Washington, Abraham was federally charged with sexually assaulting a different passenger on a flight in March.
Abraham “repeatedly” touched the 22-year-old woman sitting next to him on a March 18 flight from Chicago to Seattle, according to a news release from the US Lawyer's Office.
On three different occasions, the woman reported that she had arrived under her arm and under her chest, according to the release. She thought it might have been a mistake for the first time, but it is said that he tried again after about five minutes.
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According to the US Lawyer's Office, in the third attempt, the woman confronted him, stood up to him, left her seat and contacted the flight attendant, and moved to another seat.
When interviewed by authorities at the airport, Abraham denied inappropriate touching women.
The complaints included previous incidents dating back to 2023, including Morgan.
The woman is suing American Airlines, claiming that “serial predators” allowed them to fly on planes despite his history. (Kevin Carter/Getty Images)
Morgan's lawyer, Sarah M. Reish, said Outlet American Airlines has been aware for years that sexual assaults on overnight flights is on the rise.
“However, they allowed Cherian Abraham to become a serial predator on their plane under their watch, and when our brave client reported her horrifying experience, they brushed her off and blamed her for their complete indifference to her safety,” Reish said.
“When do companies ultimately believe in women? What needs to happen to companies ultimately take their safety seriously?”
Barbara Morgan's lawyers alleged that American Airlines “allowed Cherian Abraham to become a serial predator under their watch.” (Max Faulkner/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
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Morgan told the outlet that she is sharing her story because she hopes the companies will “do it better.”
“It's hard to explain how traumatic it is to touch such a stranger on a trapped plane, in places you can't do anywhere, or on a crowded plane,” Morgan said. “I felt exposed and completely invisible. I felt paralyzed. When the flight landed and reported what had happened, I hoped that American Airlines would step in and do better to at least protect the other women.
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In a statement from Fox News Digital, American Airlines said it was involved in the investigation.
“The safety of our customers and team members is our number one priority,” an American Airlines spokesperson wrote. “We take this issue very seriously and are working closely with law enforcement on the investigation.”
A source familiar with the situation said Fox News Digital Abraham is prohibited from flying with American Airlines.
Abraham was released on bonds. Abusive sexual contact can be punished in prison for up to two years.
