A 72-year-old man from Mercer Island, Washington, Munir Walji, has been sentenced in U.S. District Court in Seattle to ten years of supervised release for attempted sexual abuse of a minor and abusive sexual contact on an aircraft. Of the supervised release, two years will be served as home incarceration due to Walji's poor health condition. U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman announced the sentence following Walji's conviction in September 2024 after a four-day jury trial.
During the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Tana Lin remarked that Walji’s actions warranted imprisonment but expressed concern that such a sentence would pose significant risks to his health due to his severe medical conditions. “But for your medical conditions I would impose a prison sentence," Judge Lin stated.
The incident occurred on November 10, 2021, during a Delta Airlines flight from Atlanta to Seattle. Walji was seated next to the 15-year-old victim who was asleep at the time of the assault attempt. As described by U.S. Attorney Gorman, “This defendant unbuckled the seat belt of the teen sleeping next to him...and reached inside her pants.” The victim's mother was present on the flight and alerted flight attendants when she became aware of the situation.
Prosecutors sought a 30-month sentence recommended by federal pretrial officers despite Walji’s history of family support and career success. They emphasized that he engaged in behavior deserving societal condemnation by taking advantage of a vulnerable minor.
Walji's defense highlighted his significant health issues, including blood cancer and reduced lung function requiring daily medication, arguing that incarceration could be life-threatening for him.
Prosecutor Laura Harmon noted uncertainty about whether Bureau of Prisons facilities could adequately address Walji’s medical needs, although such facilities exist with high-level care for cancer patients.
Ultimately, Judge Lin decided against imprisonment but imposed additional penalties including a $5,000 fine and mandated sex offender registration for Walji.
Assistant United States Attorney Brian Wynne and Special Assistant United States Attorney Laura Harmon prosecuted the case. Harmon is also a Senior King County Deputy Prosecutor focused on child exploitation and sex crimes within federal jurisdiction.