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Justin Baker, 41, Convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact on Flight from Burbank to Seattle
A 41-year-old Claremont, California man was convicted yesterday of abusive sexual contact aboard an aircraft enroute to Seattle from Burbank, California, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman.
Justin Baker was arrested March 14, 2024, when the Alaska Airlines plane arrived at Sea-Tac Airport, and was taken into custody again yesterday immediately after the jury returned its guilty verdict. The jury deliberated about 90 minutes following a three-day trial.
The victim, an 18-year-old woman, was seated to Baker’s right next to the wall of the plane. Baker showed her sexually explicit text messages he had on his phone and then draped his jacket over his lap as well as her lower body. The victim attempted to move away from Baker and closer to the wall, but he reached under the jacket and groped her leg and genitals over her clothing.
Despite the victim saying ‘No’ and moving away when he first tried to touch her, Baker continued to grope her. He also reached into her top and groped her breast. The victim ultimately got out of her seat to contact the flight crew, but as she tried to pass by Baker, he groped her buttocks.
Prosecutors presented the testimony of another victim, who in 2004, as a girl of 15, was molested by Baker in a similar fashion. At the time Baker was a youth pastor who didn’t stop despite the victim telling him no when he tried to molest her under a blanket.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Port of Seattle Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kristine Foerster and Grace Zoller. Abusive sexual contact is punishable by up to two years in prison. The actual sentence will be determined by Judge John C. Coughenour after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
Baker is scheduled to be sentenced on January 21, 2025.
Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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