US jails Indian for 9 years over airplane sex assault

Published December 14, 2018
Prabhu Ramamoorthy was in the US on a work visa, and will be deported to India after completing his sentence. —Photo: Facebook/Ramamoorthy
Prabhu Ramamoorthy was in the US on a work visa, and will be deported to India after completing his sentence. —Photo: Facebook/Ramamoorthy

An Indian national has been sentenced to nine years in prison in the US for a brazen sexual assault of a woman on an airplane while his wife sat next to him.

Prabhu Ramamoorthy was sentenced on Thursday in a Detroit court, the US Justice Department said. The 35-year-old, who is in the US on a work visa, will be deported to India after completing his sentence, it said.

Prosecutors said Ramamoorthy was sitting in a middle seat on a January overnight flight from Las Vegas to Detroit, when he digitally penetrated a sleeping woman beside him as his wife sat on his other side.

The woman was woken by the assault to find her pants unbuttoned and unzipped, and sought help from flight attendants.

Crew members told federal investigators the victim was crying as she reported the incident 40 minutes before the plane's landing, according to the Washington Post.

Ramamoorthy was arrested after the plane touched down.

“Everyone has the right to be secure and safe when they travel on airplanes,” US Attorney Matthew Schneider said.

“We will not tolerate the behaviour of anyone who takes advantage of victims who are in a vulnerable position. We appreciate the victim in this case for her courage to speak out.”

A jury convicted Ramamoorthy in August after a five-day trial. He had faced up to life in prison.

Ramamoorthy cried as he left the courtroom on Thursday, as his victim looked on, sitting quietly with a comfort dog, the Detroit Free Press reported.

Opinion

Editorial

Afghan turbulence
19 Mar, 2024

Afghan turbulence

RELATIONS between the newly formed government and Afghanistan’s de facto Taliban rulers have begun on an...
In disarray
19 Mar, 2024

In disarray

IT is clear that there is some bad blood within the PTI’s ranks. Ever since the PTI lost a key battle over ...
Festering wound
19 Mar, 2024

Festering wound

PROTESTS unfolded once more in Gwadar, this time against the alleged enforced disappearances of two young men, who...
Defining extremism
Updated 18 Mar, 2024

Defining extremism

Redefining extremism may well be the first step to clamping down on advocacy for Palestine.
Climate in focus
18 Mar, 2024

Climate in focus

IN a welcome order by the Supreme Court, the new government has been tasked with providing a report on actions taken...
Growing rabies concern
18 Mar, 2024

Growing rabies concern

DOG-BITE is an old problem in Pakistan. Amid a surfeit of public health challenges, rabies now seems poised to ...