A man was arrested after he allegedly sexually assaulted a woman on a United Airlines flight from Virginia to Detroit, Michigan.
On July 1, 2024, the victim and 21-year-old suspect Randal Wetzel were seated next to each other on a United Airlines flight traveling from Virginia to Detroit.
At one point during the flight, the flight crew contacted airport police regarding a sexual assault.
According to the federal complaint, Wetzel engaged the victim in conversation. Soon after takeoff, Wetzel put his hand on the victim’s thigh, in an area that was not covered by her shorts
The victim began watching a movie to end the conversation with Wetzel, but Wetzel asked if he could watch it with her.
While watching the movie, Wetzel laid his head on her shoulder and chest and began rubbing her leg. Wetzel also placed his hand on her back and buttocks, according to the complaint.
“The victim was afraid and remained frozen in her seat,” the affidavit reads.
Wetzel asked the victim if he could kiss her, but she made an excuse why it was a bad idea. He then kissed her for several seconds, and she pushed him away.
“Eventually, Wetzel intentionally touched victim 1s genitals,” the complaint reads.
The victim then mouthed the word “help” to the woman sitting behind her. The witness called the flight crew, who moved Wetzel to the back of the aircraft.
Officers also spoke to Wetzel in a post-Miranda interview. Wetzel initially admitted to kissing the victim, stating she had said “yes” when he asked for permission, but later admitted that the victim made excuses not to kiss him, but he “could tell she wanted it” and did it anyway.
Wetzel also initially denied rubbing on her, but later admitted it, according to the criminal complaint. Wetzel stated “he was not surprised to see the police at the conclusion of the flight.”
Feds charged Wetzel with knowingly engaging in sexual conduct with another person without that person’s permission.
