Unfriendly skies: NJ man accused of sexually abusing woman on United flight

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Bawer Aksal, 48

/ Badoo.com via CBS New York

(CBS) NEWARK, N.J. - New Jersey man Bawer Aksal was arrested Tuesday morning after authorities said he sexually abused a sleeping woman, during a five hour United Airlines flight from Phoenix to Newark Liberty Airport, CBS New York reports.

Aksal, a 48-year-old from North Bergen, was seated next to a woman he didn't know who fell asleep during the flight, according to prosecutors. When she woke up, Aksal allegedly had one hand in her shorts and another in her shirt. Aksal was breathing heavily and whispered to the victim, "kiss me," according to the FBI complaint.

Alarmed, the woman slammed the armrest down and told Aksal to get off of her, prosecutors said, according to CBS New York. She then told a member of the flight crew what happened. The passenger sitting on the other side of Aksal corroborated the victim's story, the station reported.

Aksal was isolated on the plane after the alleged incident and arrested as soon as the flight landed. According to the complaint, Aksal admitted to groping the woman during an interview with law enforcement officers but claimed that it was consensual.

CBS New York reported Aksal has been ordered held without bail as a possible flight risk. If convicted of the sexual abuse charge, Aksal could face life in prison and a $250,000 fine.

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by tshanenj August 23, 2012 4:24 PM EDT: i was on this flight! they told us to stay seated because there was a medical emergency on the back of the plane. then the port authority pired into the plane and grab the guy. i told the woman she should of screamed so then he would of got his ass kicked!; Reply to this comment


by DebLeeB August 23, 2012 4:19 PM EDT: What planet are you from, Lilly. Let's put you in his jail cell and see how long he "doesn't touch you."; Reply to this comment


by txsunshyne August 23, 2012 3:58 PM EDT: Why didn't the witness who corroborated her story wake her up or something? There is no hope for the human race when people sit by and watch something like this happening. SEE SOMETHING SAY SOMETHING!!!; Reply to this comment

by lillyhorton August 23, 2012 3:02 PM EDT

In her dreams. The man did not touch her. If she woke up with her shirt and shorts open while he jacked off OK. but very doubtful he got hot by touching her and very doubtful he would get that far without her knowing.

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