Jairaj Singh Dhillon, Assaulting Passengers, Massachusetts 2023

A California man, Jairaj Singh Dhillon, 43, of Modesto, California, has been sentenced for assaulting two female passengers on a redeye flight from Los Angeles to Boston. The disturbing incident occurred on May 31, 2022, when Dhillon engaged in unwanted sexual contact with two female passengers sitting next to him.

The first victim reported that Dhillon, seated in the aisle seat next to her, touched her thigh and groin area while she was taking care of her infant child who was in a car seat in the window seat next to her. The first victim called for help and stated out loud, “this man just groped me.” The second victim, who was seated in the aisle seat opposite Dhillon, reported that Dhillon reached out with both hands and simultaneously grabbed her groin and buttocks when she was standing in the aisle.

Flight crew intervened and moved Dhillon to another part of the plane for the duration of the flight. Dhillon was immediately taken into custody upon the flight’s arrival in Boston.

On March 20, 2023, Dhillon pleaded guilty to two counts of assault while in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States. He was subsequently sentenced by U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Paul G. Levenson to one year of probation, with the first six months to be served in home confinement.

The disturbing incident has sparked outrage, and the swift action taken by authorities has been praised. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing passenger safety and security in all modes of transportation.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Christopher DiMenna, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and John E. Mawn Jr., Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Dell’Anno of Levy’s Criminal Division prosecuted the case.

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