Minneapolis man convicted of sexually assaulting 16-year-old on plane

A federal jury has convicted a Minneapolis man for engaging in abusive sexual contact on an airplane, following a three-day trial.

According to the United States Attorney’s Office, 40-year-old Neeraj Chopra has been convicted of one count of abusive sexual contact.

Evidence presented at the trial shows that in April 2019, Chopra knowingly engaged in abusive sexual contact with a 16-year-old victim who was seated next to him aboard a Jet Blue flight from Boston to Minneapolis.

During the flight, Chopra retrieved a blanket from his backpack and draped it over his lap, with a portion of the blanket also covering the victim’s right leg. Chopra then put his hand under the blanket and began inappropriately touching the victim. He ignored the victim’s repeated requests to stop, as he continued touching the victim.

Chopra faces up to two years in prison and a fine up to $250,000. At sentencing, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account U.S. sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing date has yet to be scheduled, according to a release.