A Delta overnight flight from Kona to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport ended with a Kansas man under arrest, accused of sexually touching the woman seated next to him and now facing a federal charge. According to court documents, the 27-year-old passenger reported that the man touched her inner thigh and pelvic area while she tried to sleep. Authorities identified the defendant as 31-year-old Dominic Cortez Nichols.
According to Hawaii News Now, Nichols admitted in an interview with Port of Seattle Police that he touched the woman and said an in-flight movie "caused him to become sexually aroused." The outlet reports that Nichols had an initial court appearance on Tuesday and was expected to have a detention hearing on Wednesday.
What the complaint says
In a press release, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington outlined the criminal complaint, which states that Nichols was in the woman’s assigned window seat when the flight boarded. He then moved to the middle seat, forcing her to climb over him to get to her place.
With less than two hours remaining in the overnight flight, Nichols allegedly reached his hand between the victim’s hands and touched her inner thigh and groin area, according to the summary of the complaint. The woman then pressed the flight-attendant call button and was reseated, as described by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Alleged behavior during the flight
Court filings cited by KIRO 7 say Nichols also admitted to masturbating on two occasions during the flight, including once while the woman was still seated beside him. The complaint reportedly describes movement under a blanket covering his lap, and KIRO 7 notes that Nichols told investigators he touched the passenger so she would leave the window seat and he could be alone.
Charges and possible penalties
Nichols is charged with abusive sexual contact aboard an aircraft, a federal offense that the U.S. Attorney’s Office says carries a potential penalty of up to two years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The office says the case is being investigated by the FBI and the Port of Seattle Police Department and will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda McDowell. The charge in the criminal complaint is an allegation, and Nichols is presumed innocent until proven guilty, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Reporting and context
The FBI has said sexual assault aboard aircraft most often involves unwanted touching and has urged victims and witnesses to report incidents to the flight crew, airport police, or the FBI tip line. Early reporting can help preserve evidence and speed the response when the plane lands. For more on guidance, reporting options, and victim resources, see the bureau’s overview of in-flight sexual assaults, published by the FBI.
Nichols was detained after his June 23 arrest at Sea-Tac and had an initial hearing in federal court. His detention hearing was scheduled for June 24, according to Hawaii News Now. The U.S. Attorney’s Office lists contact information for press inquiries and says the case remains under investigation.
