Veerabhadrarao Kunam Admits Groping Sleeping Woman on LAX-NWK Flight

Veerabhadrarao Kunam, 58, of Visakhapatnam, India, admitted in federal court to groping a sleeping woman on a red-eye flight from Los Angeles to Newark in 2016. The assault occurred aboard a Virgin America flight while the victim, seated next to Kunam, slept during the overnight journey.

On July 30, 2016, Kunam pleaded guilty to assault in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph A. Dickson in Newark. According to court documents, Kunam reached across the seat and touched the woman’s vagina and buttocks without her consent while the plane was in flight.

The victim had no prior contact with Kunam and was unaware of the assault until after landing. FBI agents apprehended Kunam the same day the flight arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport. He has remained in federal custody since his arrest.

Due to federal jurisdiction over crimes committed on aircraft in U.S. airspace, the case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey. U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced the plea, highlighting the agency’s commitment to prosecuting sexual offenses on commercial flights.

Under the terms of his plea agreement, Kunam faces 30 to 60 days in federal prison and up to 90 days in an inpatient alcohol treatment center. Sentencing is scheduled for March 22, 2017. The government cited alcohol use as a contributing factor but emphasized that it does not excuse the crime.

The investigation was led by FBI special agents under Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher, with support from the Port Authority Police Department, directed by Superintendent Michael A. Fedorko. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francisco J. Navarro is prosecuting the case. Alexander Spiro of New York is representing Kunam.