PITTSBURGH — A Seattle-area man has been charged by federal air marshals with groping a female passenger aboard a United Airlines flight that was diverted to Pittsburgh as a result of the alleged incident.
Michael Lamar Holland, 46, made his initial appearance 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 the 39-year-old woman Sunday on United Flight 917, which was bound for Seattle from Dulles International Airport near Washington, D.C., Hresko said.
“The next thing you know, he’s groping her,” said Hresko. “The flight attendants asked our (air marshals) to get involved.”
An affidavit filed with the charges said a witness saw Holland stroking the woman’s hair while she was trying to sleep. 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, Hresko said. The pilot opted to divert the flight to Pittsburgh so Holland could be removed, said Hresko.
“He was resisting and we were cornered,” the alleged victim told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on Monday. “I think I’m still in a bit of shock. We were really shaken up last night.”
United Airlines officials did not immediately return a call for comment.
The flight left Dulles carrying 182 passengers at 6:08 p.m. and landed in Pittsburgh about an hour later. Pittsburgh airport officials said the flight continued on to Seattle at 9:35 p.m.
Holland was released on bond and the court was to appoint an attorney for him before he returns Jan. 7 for another court appearance, said Margaret Philbin, spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney’s office in Pittsburgh. Holland was held overnight in the Allegheny County Jail in Pittsburgh before he appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Amy Reynolds Hay on Monday, Hresko said.
Holland did not appear to be intoxicated when he was taken into custody Sunday night, Hresko said.
“There was no alcohol on his breath, and when he was interviewed he said he hadn’t had a drink for five years,” Hresko said. “We have no reason to believe that he was drunk or on any kind of narcotic.”
Abusive sexual contact is a federal misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in prison and $1,000 fine, Hresko said.
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