A New Jersey man has pleaded guilty to abusive sexual contact during a flight from Los Angeles to Philadelphia, according to an announcement from United States Attorney David Metcalf. Vernon Baker, 41, of Linden, entered his plea before United States District Judge Anita B. Brody.
Court filings describe that on October 30, 2024, while on a commercial flight between the two cities, Baker made unwanted sexual advances toward the woman seated next to him. After she rejected these advances, he exposed himself and attempted to force her to touch him. He then grabbed her breast over her clothing and untied her pants. The victim reported the incident to flight attendants after leaving her seat.
Baker was indicted in January and is scheduled for sentencing on March 3. He could face up to 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.
“This case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Josh Davison and Special Assistant United States Attorney Meagan Gordon.”
