Source: US FBI
Seattle – A 54-year-old Allen, Texas, man pleaded guilty today to abusive sexual contact for repeatedly illegally touching the woman sitting next to him while flying from Chicago to Seattle in March 2025, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Cherian Abraham, who works for a technology company, faces up to two years in prison when sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kymberly K. Evanson on September 15, 2025.
According to records filed in the case, Abraham was seated next to the 22-year-old victim on the flight. On three different occasions, the victim reported that he reached under her arm to touch her breast. The first time the victim thought perhaps it was inadvertent contact. The second time, some five minutes later, the victim looked pointedly at Abraham, and he withdrew his hand. Apparently undeterred, the victim felt Abraham again poking her with his hand and she verbally confronted him. The victim got out of her seat, contacted the flight attendant, and was moved to a different seat.
An investigation by the responding FBI agent revealed that Abraham had twice before been alleged to have touched fellow passengers inappropriately. On April 24, 2024, a victim reported to the airline’s online customer service portal that Abraham had repeatedly touched her and attempted to put his hand between her thighs. The victim yelled at Abraham but was not able to get the attention of a flight attendant. On October 9, 2023, Minneapolis Airport Police interviewed Abraham after a victim reported that he had touched her leg with an open hand three times. The victim told him to stop and contacted the flight crew who put her in a different seat. When interviewed Abraham denied touching the victim. The victim did not want to pursue charges.
Abusive sexual contact is punishable by up to two years in prison. Prosecutors have agreed to recommend a sentence in the middle of Abraham’s guideline range as calculated by the court. Judge Evanson is not bound by the recommendation and can impose any sentence allowed by law.
The case is being investigated by the FBI.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ajay Ravindran and Jessica M. Ly.