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Man 'fondled' female passenger
01/01/2008 13:32 - (SA)
Joe Mandak
Pittsburgh - Federal air marshals charged a man with groping a female passenger aboard a United Airlines flight that the pilot diverted because of the disturbance.
Michael Lamar Holland, 46, appeared before a magistrate on Monday on a charge of abusive sexual contact, according to Ted Hresko, special agent in charge of the Pittsburgh air marshals' office.
Holland had been chatting with a 39-year-old woman Sunday on United Flight 917, which was bound for Seattle from Dulles International Airport near Washington DC, he said.
"The next thing you know, he's groping her," Hresko said. "The flight attendants asked our (air marshals) to get involved."
"Stroked' her hair
A witness saw Holland stroking the woman's hair while she was trying to sleep, according to an affidavit filed with the court. Moments later, Holland fondled the woman who repeatedly objected and tried to get away from him, the affidavit said.
Holland was handcuffed by air marshals and taken to an empty seat in another part of the plane. The pilot opted to divert the flight to Pittsburgh so Holland could be removed, Hresko said.
"I think I'm still in a bit of shock," the woman who made the accusations told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on Monday.
United Airlines officials did not immediately return a call for comment.
Holland was released on bond and the court was to appoint an attorney for him before he returns for a January 7 court appearance, said Margaret Philbin, spokesperson for the US Attorney's Office in Pittsburgh.
Holland did not appear to be intoxicated when he was taken into custody Sunday night, Hresko said.
Abusive sexual contact is a federal misdemeanour punishable by up to a year in prison and $1000 fine, Hresko said.
- AP
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