A dual United States-Nepalese national is due to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on 8 April 2025 after being charged with allegedly committing an act of indecency on board an international flight.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) Sydney Airport Police Commander Davina Copelin said air travellers should feel safe and protected from inappropriate behaviour.
“No one deserves to be subjected to unwanted attention under any circumstance, particularly when isolated and confined on a long-haul flight.”
AFP allege the 67-year-old man acted indecently towards a female passenger, whom he did not know, during a flight from Los Angeles to Sydney on 7 April. The woman alerted airline staff to the alleged incident, who then informed the AFP.
Commander Copelin added, “When people are bound by Australian law and there is evidence that someone has committed a criminal offence, the AFP will take action.”
“Anyone subjected to unwanted contact is encouraged to alert the authorities—be it airline staff, the AFP or airport security—as soon as it is safely possible to do so.”
AFP officers interviewed passengers and crew upon the plane’s arrival at Sydney Airport before charging the man with one count of an act of indecency without consent, contrary to section 60(1) of the Crimes Act 1900 (ACT), applied through section 15(1) of the Crimes (Aviation) Act 1991 (Cth).
The offence carries a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment.
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