Rajesh Kumar Kapoor, a 57-year-old resident of Sacramento, has pleaded guilty to the sexual assault of a fellow passenger on an international flight bound for San Francisco. The plea was entered on December 19, 2024, following his indictment earlier this year on March 13.
The indictment detailed that Kapoor engaged in inappropriate conduct by touching the victim's breasts and inner thigh without consent during a flight from the Republic of Korea to San Francisco on January 16, 2024. In his guilty plea, Kapoor admitted to intentionally touching the victim’s inner thigh with the intent to harass her, acknowledging that he acted without her permission. He pled guilty to abusive sexual contact in violation of federal law, specifically 18 U.S.C. § 2244(b), without any plea agreement with the government.
"Sexual assault has no place in our society, not on the ground and not in the skies. Airline passengers should not have to fear sexual assault while traveling," stated United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey. He emphasized that such acts are federal crimes and encouraged reporting them for investigation and prosecution.
Robert K. Tripp, Special Agent in Charge at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), highlighted the gravity of such offenses: "Sexual misconduct on an aircraft is a serious violation of federal law and public trust." He assured that the FBI would continue its efforts alongside partners to seek justice for victims.
Kapoor's sentencing is scheduled for March 27, 2025, before Senior U.S. District Judge Edward M. Chen. The statutory maximum penalty he faces includes two years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The sentence will be determined after considering relevant guidelines and statutes.
The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Chou and Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas M. Parker with assistance from several legal professionals. The investigation was conducted by the FBI with support from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the San Francisco Police Department Airport Bureau.