Groping Grandpa: Roberson Gets 6 Months in Seattle Assault

SEATTLE – Jack Allen Roberson, 70, of Andrews, North Carolina, will spend the next six months behind bars for a brazen act of sexual assault committed 30,000 feet in the air. U.S. District Judge Lauren King handed down the sentence Wednesday, along with 12 months of supervised release, after Roberson pleaded guilty to simple assault in March 2024. The incident occurred on a flight from Atlanta to Seattle in July of 2023, and Roberson was immediately taken into custody by authorities upon landing at Sea-Tac airport.

Court records paint a disturbing picture of Roberson’s predatory behavior. While seemingly asleep, he intentionally slipped his hand onto the thigh of a 15-year-old passenger traveling with her guardian. The assault escalated, with Roberson’s hand moving upwards, under the victim’s skirt and towards her genitals. The teen immediately reported the unwanted touching to her guardian, who swiftly alerted a flight attendant. Roberson was relocated to another seat, but the damage was already done.

Judge King didn’t mince words at the sentencing hearing, emphasizing the particularly egregious nature of the crime. “Passengers are captive when seated next to someone on a plane,” she stated, “and children are especially vulnerable in these circumstances.” She specifically commended the victim’s courage in coming forward, recognizing the traumatizing impact of the assault and her participation in the pursuit of justice.

Assistant United States Attorney Sanaa Nagi, in a sentencing memorandum, highlighted a disturbing trend. “Airline assaults are a plague on our modern, highly mobile society,” she wrote. Nagi pointed to a significant increase in reported incidents in the Western District of Washington, likely due to Seattle’s status as a major international travel hub. The memo detailed the immediate aftermath of the assault, noting the victim was “shocked and afraid,” but ultimately found the strength to report the crime and demand accountability.

The investigation was spearheaded by the FBI, with crucial assistance from the Port of Seattle Police. Their swift action ensured Roberson was apprehended and brought to justice. This case serves as a grim reminder of the vulnerability of passengers and the importance of reporting such incidents. The FBI continues to investigate similar reports across the country, attempting to stem the rising tide of in-flight disturbances and assaults.

Assistant United States Attorney Sanaa Nagi prosecuted the case, securing a conviction and a sentence that, while perhaps insufficient for some, sends a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated. Roberson will now begin his 6-month prison sentence, followed by a year of supervised release, hoping to avoid further encounters with the law – and more importantly, to avoid victimizing anyone else.