A 72-year-old Mercer Island man has been convicted of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl on a flight from Atlanta to Seattle.
Munir Walji was seated next to the victim and her mother on a Delta Air Lines flight when he began touching the victim and eventually rubbed his hand inside her underwear.
The victim’s mother was in the window seat and initially thought nothing of the small talk between the three, but as the flight neared its destination, Walji’s actions became more aggressive.
According to testimony, the victim felt a hand on her leg, waking her up, and she moved away from Walji. However, he continued to touch her, rubbing her thigh and eventually unbuckling her seatbelt and reaching inside her underwear.
The victim said something that caused Walji to stop, and she awakened her mother. A flight attendant was called, and the victim and her mother were moved to a different row.
Law enforcement was notified, and Walji was arrested upon arrival in Seattle. He was subsequently charged with Attempted Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Special Aircraft Jurisdiction and Abusive Sexual Contact in Special Aircraft Jurisdiction.
Walji was convicted following a four-day jury trial, with jurors deliberating for about 5 hours before reaching the guilty verdicts. U.S. District Judge Tana Lin scheduled sentencing for December 11, 2024.
The charges carry a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison for the abuse of a minor and up to two years for abusive sexual contact in special aircraft jurisdiction.
Walji’s crime occurred on November 10, 2021, on a Delta Air Lines flight from Atlanta to Seattle.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brian Wynne and Special Assistant United States Attorney Laura Harmon.
Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
