Man Sexually Assaulted Woman Aboard Flight To Detroit: Feds

DETROIT, MI – As a woman slept aboard a flight from Las Vegas, another passenger unbuttoned her blouse and pants, and groped her breasts and vagina, according to a report filed in federal court. The man, Prabhu Ramamoorthy, has been arrested and charged with sexual assault.

The incident took place on a flight from Las Vegas to Detroit on Wednesday. The 22-year-old woman told FBI investigating the case that she had fallen asleep with her head against the window of the plane. When she woke, Ramamoorthy had his hand inside her pants and was vigorously trying to shove his finger into her vagina.

She told agents her blouse also had been unbuttoned, according to the federal complaint. The woman reported the incident to flight attendants. Two flight attendants reported that the woman was visibly upset and crying.

Agents took Ramamoorthy into custody at the Wayne County Airport after the flight arrived Wednesday morning. In a written statement to federal agents, Ramamoorthy said he had fallen into a "deep sleep." In an interview, he said told agents that he "might have" undone the victim's bra and cupped her breast over her blouse, the report says.

He told agents that he did unzip the woman's pants and put his hand inside, the report says. He said he tried to put his finger inside her vagina, but was unsuccessful.

Ramamoorthy, currently being held in the custody of the federal government, is expected back in court on Thursday for a detention hearing. No information about his age or address was available in the court documents.