Published on : Tuesday, May 21, 2019
George Seryogin, a Massachusetts resident, and the 19-year-old woman, referred to as “Jane Doe,” were flying from Tokyo’s Narita International Airport to Washington Dulles International Airport.
He has been accused of “an intent to abuse, humiliate, harass, and degrade” her and “knowingly and intentionally (engaging) in sexual contact with ‘Jane Doe,’ without her permission,” according to a U.S. District Court document filed May 16. He was arrested in the Eastern District Court of Virginia. United has since banned Seryogin from flying the airline.
The pair was seated next to each other on the flight, according to an FBI affidavit filed in April. Seryogin, the woman and their seatmate chatted briefly when settling into their seats. The alleged victim and Seryogin had never met before.
According to the affidavit, Seryogin “put his hand against the Victim’s vagina, through her clothing and without her permission.” The woman reportedly waited a few minutes after the assault to go and use the restroom and reported the sexual assault.
In a subsequent interview, Seryogin said that he had several drinks on the flight but that he wasn’t “drunk” nor was he under the influence of medications. He claimed that he fell asleep four to five hours into the flight.
Seryogin further said he couldn’t remember touching the accuser but that “it could have been possible because he does move around while sleeping,” according to the affidavit.
“The safety and well-being of our customers is our top priority,” Erin Benson, a spokesperson for United, said in a statement. “Our customer was immediately moved to a different seat when the flight attendant was made aware of the issue and we requested law enforcement meet the aircraft on arrival. We have and will continue to fully cooperate with law enforcement’s investigation.”
“Sexual harassment, inappropriate behaviour, intimidation or predation have absolutely no place anywhere in our society – including in our industry and on our aircraft,” Benson added.