A Federal Way man could face up to a decade behind bars after pleading guilty to a sexually motivated assault aboard a Seattle-bound flight. The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced on Wednesday that Desmond D. Bostick, 25, admitted to the charge in U.S. District Court, with his sentencing scheduled for July 18 by U.S. District Judge Jamal N. Whitehead.
Detailing the incident on the Alaska Airlines flight from San Diego last June, court documents reveal that Bostick, seated in the aisle of the last row, repeatedly made unsolicited contact with a female middle-seat passenger—touching her thigh and grabbing her buttocks. According to the statement released by the U.S. Attorney's Office, the defendant confessed to touching the victim with the intent of fulfilling his sexual desire.
The female victim reported the assault after the aircraft landed, prompting a subsequent investigation by the FBI and assistance from the Port of Seattle Police. Although Bostick initially avoided capture, leaving the airport undetected, a federal grand jury indicted him in September 2023, and authorities apprehended him on February 9, 2024.
As part of a plea agreement, both the defense and the prosecution are suggesting a nine-month prison sentence, though this recommendation is non-binding—leaving Judge Whitehead with discretion to impose any legal sentencing. The teamwork between the FBI and local police highlights their commitment to addressing sexual misconduct in the skies, a growing concern among frequent flyers.
