Siva K. Durbesula, Abusive Sexual Contact, South Carolina 2023
COLUMBIA, SC - A man who was convicted of abusive sexual contact aboard an airplane has been sentenced to the statutory maximum federal prison term of two years, a $5,000 assessment, and 10 years of supervised release.
Siva K. Durbesula, 29, of India, was found guilty by a jury of abusive sexual contact aboard an airplane. The crime occurred on June 23, 2019, aboard a flight from Chicago O'Hare to Myrtle Beach, where Durbesula sexually assaulted a 22-year-old female passenger who was seated next to him.
According to the indictment, the victim testified that Durbesula pulled her toward him and groped her repeatedly midflight. After the flight crew moved Durbesula away from the victim, he asked to return to his previous seat so he could speak to the victim again.
The case was originally indicted in the District of South Carolina and was later transferred to the Western District of North Carolina. In handing out the statutory maximum prison term for the offense, Chief U.S. District Judge Martin Reidinger noted that Durbesula's repeated sexual misconduct over a short period of time required the maximum statutory punishment to promote respect for the law.
In addition to the prison term imposed, Judge Reidinger ordered Durbesula to serve 10 years of supervised release and to pay a $5,000 assessment. Durbesula is currently in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.
Acting U.S. Attorneys M. Rhett DeHart and William T. Stetzer commended the FBI and the Horry County Police Department for their investigation of the case and thanked Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for their invaluable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Derek A. Shoemake of the District of South Carolina and Don Gast of the Western District of North Carolina prosecuted the case.
Key Facts
- State: South Carolina
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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