Man pleads guilty to sexually assaulting passenger on SFO flight

SAN FRANCISCO – A Northern California man has pleaded guilty to a felonysexual assault on a fellow passenger on a flight According to authorities, from South Korea to San Francisco.

Rajesh Kumar Kapur, 57, of Sacramento, pleaded guilty on Dec. 19 to one count of forcible sexual contact, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a press release. He admitted to deliberately touching the inside of the victim’s thigh without permission and with the intention of harassing her.

The incident occurred on January 16, 2024. Four months later, a federal grand jury indicted Kapoor, alleging that he touched the victim’s breasts and inner thigh without her consent.

On March 27, Kapoor faces up to two years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

“Airline passengers should not have to fear sexual assault while traveling,” U.S. Attorney Ismail J. said in a statement. Ramsay. “These attacks are federal crimes and I urge the public to report them to law enforcement so they can be investigated and prosecuted.”

Originally published: December 23, 2024 at 10:20 PM PST