A federal jury convicted 38-year-old Varun Arora on Jan. 29 of abusive sexual contact and assault after a sleeping passenger woke to find him groping her during final approach on Aug. 29, 2024. The victim photographed Arora as she left the plane and reported the incident to American Airlines; the FBI later matched that photo to his driver's license. Arora was arrested in August 2025, indicted in October 2025, and faces up to two years in prison at his May 7 sentencing.
Passenger Convicted After Sleeping Traveler Woke to Being Groped on Flight
Airplane touching down at Reagan National AirportROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty
A federal jury has convicted 38-year-old Varun Arora of abusive sexual contact and assault after a fellow passenger woke to find him groping her during a flight, the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of Virginia said.
What Happened: According to court records and trial evidence, the incident occurred during final approach on a flight from Rhode Island's T.F. Green International Airport to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Aug. 29, 2024. The victim, who was asleep in a center seat, awoke to Arora touching her while he wore a sleep mask and pretended to be asleep.
The affidavit filed by FBI Special Agent Marc Esposito states that Arora was seated in an aisle seat next to the victim. The victim moved away and removed Arora's hand after first feeling him touch her genital area; the affidavit says he then touched her backside and began rubbing her buttocks.
How the Case Was Built: As she left the aircraft, the victim photographed Arora and reported the incident to American Airlines the next day. The FBI corroborated that the two passengers sat next to each other by matching the photo the victim took with the image on Arora’s driver's license, investigators said.
Arora was arrested in August 2025 and indicted in October 2025, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. A federal jury convicted him on Jan. 29 on charges of abusive sexual contact and assault. He faces up to two years in prison; his sentencing is scheduled for May 7.
Other Details: The U.S. Attorney's Office noted that Arora is an Indian national who is in the United States "without lawful status," according to the release. The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of Virginia.
Source: U.S. Attorney's Office (Eastern District of Virginia); reporting adapted from People.
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