Washington, D.C. — A 38-year-old Indian national has been convicted of sexually assaulting a woman aboard a commercial flight approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Varun Arora faces up to two years in prison when sentenced on May 7, 2026, after a federal jury found him guilty of abusive sexual contact and assault on January 29, 2026.
Key Facts
• Varun Arora, 38, an Indian national residing in Irving, Texas, was convicted on January 29, 2026, of abusive sexual contact and simple assault aboard an aircraft in flight
• The assault occurred on August 29, 2024, aboard American Airlines Flight 1759 traveling from Rhode Island to Washington, D.C., placing the case under federal jurisdiction
• Sentencing is scheduled for May 7, 2026, with Arora potentially facing up to two years in federal prison; he currently remains in custody pending sentencing
The incident unfolded when Arora, seated in an aisle seat in row 20, began touching the woman seated next to him who had fallen asleep during the flight. The woman awoke to discover his hand on her genital area while he wore a sleep mask, apparently pretending to be asleep.
When the woman immediately grabbed his hand and pushed it away, moving as far from him as possible in the confined seating area, Arora continued attempting to place his hand on her multiple times. Passengers and flight crew witnessed the disturbing behavior as the aircraft approached its destination.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation's Washington Field Office investigated the case, with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia handling prosecution. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Madison Mumma and Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell L.
Carlberg led the legal proceedings.
Federal law grants courts jurisdiction over crimes committed aboard aircraft in flight, classifying such offenses under special maritime and territorial jurisdiction. This federal framework ensures that in-flight assaults are treated seriously regardless of airline or passenger nationality.
Arora, who is currently in the United States without legal status, faces significant federal penalties. A federal district court judge will determine his final sentence after carefully reviewing the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant statutory factors.
This case reflects ongoing concerns about passenger safety aboard commercial flights. The Eastern District of Virginia, which covers Reagan National Airport, regularly handles federal cases involving crimes at transportation hubs and aboard interstate or international flights.
The conviction sends a clear message that sexual assault aboard aircraft will result in serious federal prosecution and imprisonment. Passengers should remain vigilant and report suspicious behavior immediately to flight attendants, knowing that federal law enforcement agencies take such crimes seriously.
Do You Know?
Federal law specifically criminalizes abusive sexual contact aboard aircraft in flight, with maximum sentences of two years imprisonment, recognizing that confined airborne environments require heightened legal protection for passengers and crew members alike.
Key Terms
• Abusive Sexual Contact — Intentional unwanted touching of another person's genitals or intimate body parts without consent, prosecuted as a federal crime when occurring aboard aircraft in flight
• Federal Jurisdiction — Legal authority of federal courts to hear cases involving crimes committed on aircraft or in U.S. territorial waters, extending beyond state boundaries
• Eastern District of Virginia — Federal court district covering Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, and surrounding areas, handling serious federal crimes at major transportation hubs including Reagan National Airport
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