Groper on Seattle flight sentenced to prison after treating ‘victim like an object’

A 42-year-old man has been sentenced to two years in prison after groping a woman on a flight to Seattle from California. The victim told the court that the assault “shattered the trajectory of her life” as she now has anxiety surrounding flying.

“This was a calculated and predatory sexual assault on an 18-year-old girl,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller, in a press release. “Mr. Baker underestimated the victim’s strength in testifying, as well as the commitment we have in the Western District of Washington to hold these aircraft offenders accountable.”

Last year Justin Baker was flying on an Alaska Airlines flight when he sat down next to the 18-year-old woman who was entering college. 

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How the assault started

Baker first started touching the woman with his knee before she moved away, according to court documents. Court records show that Baker then showed the woman sexually explicit texts between him and his wife. 

Baker then touched the woman’s thigh before laying his jacket over both their laps and groping her. The woman tried to move away while telling Baker to stop, however, Baker continued to grope her genitals. 

When the woman was able to stand up to get the flight crew, documents show that Baker groped her buttocks.

Speaking in court Tuesday, Assistant United States Attorney Grace Zoller said Baker, “treated the victim like an object… He dehumanized her.”

When released from prison, the U.S. Attorney’s Office says Baker will receive five years of federal supervision and must register as a sex offender.

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