Serial Harasser Arrested for Groping Woman on American Airlines Flight

Cherian Abraham, a 55-year-old man from Dallas, has been arrested after allegedly groping a 22-year-old woman aboard an American Airlines flight from Chicago to Seattle on March 18, 2025. This marks the third time Abraham has been accused of sexually harassing a fellow passenger during a flight.

Abraham has been charged with one count of abusive sexual contact, which carries a maximum penalty of two years in federal prison.

He was arrested on March 24, 2025, following the incident, though he has yet to secure an attorney. His wife declined to comment when reached by phone.

The incident occurred during the four-hour and 40-minute flight, when Abraham allegedly touched the woman sitting next to him, initially claiming that the contact was accidental while reaching for his luggage. However, the woman’s complaint to authorities and a witness’s testimony revealed otherwise.

The woman reported feeling Abraham’s hand move underneath her arm and toward her breast, despite her protests. After the woman confronted him, Abraham reportedly made no verbal response and quickly changed the subject.

A Pattern of Harassment

This is not the first time Abraham has been accused of inappropriate behavior aboard an airplane. According to court filings, the FBI has uncovered two previous incidents involving Abraham. In April 2024, a woman, identified as Victim 2, reported that Abraham had rubbed against her side and placed his hand inappropriately between her legs during a flight. The woman attempted to alert a flight attendant but was unsuccessful, remaining seated next to him for the rest of the flight. Abraham later denied the allegations, claiming confusion over the situation.

In October 2023, a third victim, identified as Victim 3, reported similar harassment when Abraham allegedly touched her leg and thigh multiple times while seated on an American Airlines flight. Like the others, she confronted him and reported the incident to a flight attendant. Although this victim declined to press charges, the incident is still under investigation by law enforcement.

Growing Problem of In-Flight Harassment

The rise in reports of unruly passengers has raised concerns in the airline industry. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), there were 311 reports of unruly passengers in 2025 as of March, following a significant rise in cases in previous years.

In 2024, the FAA received 2,102 reports, a slight increase from 2,076 in 2023. The number of incidents peaked in 2021, with over 5,900 reports of unruly behavior, prompting the FAA and airlines to take stricter measures against in-flight harassment.

Abraham’s case highlights the increasing problem of passenger misconduct and the critical need for stricter measures to protect passengers from harassment while flying.

If convicted, Abraham faces up to two years in prison for the charges brought against him, reflecting the severity with which the authorities are treating such incidents.

This case is a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining safety and respect in the skies. It also underscores the growing attention being paid to in-flight safety and the role of the FAA and other agencies in addressing these challenges.

For more information on aviation regulations and passenger behavior, visit official resources such as the FAA and Department of Justice websites.

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