PHILADELPHIA, PA — United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Vernon Baker, 41, of Linden, New Jersey, pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of abusive sexual contact on an aircraft, admitting to an assault that occurred during a cross-country commercial flight.
Federal prosecutors said Baker entered the plea before U.S. District Judge Anita B. Brody nearly a year after a grand jury indicted him on the charge.
According to court filings, the incident took place on October 30, 2024, during a flight from Los Angeles to Philadelphia. Prosecutors stated that Baker made unwanted sexual advances toward the woman seated beside him. When the victim refused, Baker exposed himself and attempted to force her to touch him. He then grabbed her breast over her clothing and untied her pants. Shaken and terrified, the victim fled to the rear of the aircraft and immediately reported the assault to flight attendants.
Baker is scheduled for sentencing on March 3 and faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison, one year of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
The FBI investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Josh Davison and Special Assistant United States Attorney Meagan Gordon are prosecuting the matter.
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