March 26, 2024 - SAN FRANCISCO – On Monday, A federal grand jury indicted Rajesh Kumar Kapoor, charging him with sexual abuse of another passenger during an international flight, announced U.S. Attorney Ismail Ramsey and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp.  Kapoor was arrested this morning, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler for his initial court appearance, and was released pending trial. 

The indictment filed March 13, 2024, and unsealed earlier today, alleges that on January 16, 2024, Kapoor, 56, of Sacramento, Calif., was aboard a flight from the Republic of Korea to San Francisco when he engaged in abusive sexual contact with another passenger.  Specifically, the indictment alleges Kapoor touched the victim’s breasts and inner thigh without the passenger’s permission.  

Kapoor is charged with one count of abusive sexual contact, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2244(b) and 49 U.S.C. § 46506(1).  Kapoor’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 9, 2024, before Senior United States District Judge Edward M. Chen, for a status conference.

An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  If convicted, Kapoor faces a statutory maximum of two years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.  In addition, as part of any sentence a court may order an additional period of supervised release and restitution, if appropriate; however, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, as applicable, and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.  

Special Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Chou is prosecuting this case with the assistance of Tina Rosenbaum and Marina Ponomarchuk.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Source: DOJ Release