North Carolina Man Sentenced for Groping Teen on Flight

A 70-year-old North Carolina man has been sentenced to 6 months in custody and 12 months of supervised release following prison for his role in an in-flight assault.

Jack Allen Roberson, 70, of Andrews, North Carolina, was arrested at Sea-Tac airport in July 2023 after being accused of groping a 15-year-old girl on a flight from Atlanta to Seattle.

According to records filed in the case, Roberson was seated next to the victim, who was traveling with her guardian, when he slipped his hand onto her thigh and ran it up under her skirt and towards her genitals.

The victim reported the unwanted touching to her guardian, who contacted the flight attendant. Roberson was moved to a different seat, and law enforcement was contacted upon arrival at Sea-Tac airport.

Roberson was arrested and charged with simple assault, to which he pleaded guilty in March 2024.

U.S. District Judge Lauren King noted the offense was egregious, citing the vulnerability of passengers on a plane and the trauma inflicted on the victim.

“Passengers are captive when seated next to someone on a plane, and children are especially vulnerable in these circumstances,” Judge King said, commending the victim for her bravery in coming forward and participating in the criminal justice process.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sanaa Nagi asked for a prison sentence, stating that airline assaults are a plague on society and that Roberson’s actions left the victim shocked and afraid.

The case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Port of Seattle Police, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sanaa Nagi.

Roberson’s sentence serves as a reminder of the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions, particularly in cases involving vulnerable victims.

The sentencing is a significant step in bringing justice to the victim and serves as a warning to would-be perpetrators that they will be held accountable for their actions.

The case highlights the need for increased awareness and education on the prevention of airline assaults and the importance of reporting such incidents to law enforcement.

The FBI and local law enforcement agencies continue to work together to investigate and prosecute cases of in-flight assault, ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice.

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