Man charged in connection with exposing himself during flight to Boston

An Indian man has been charged in connection with touching and exposing himself during a flight from Abu Dhabi to Boston on Monday, Acting United States Attorney Joshua Levy announced.

Krishna Kunapuli, 39, was charged with lewd, indecent and obscene acts while in the United States’ special aircraft jurisdiction, Levy’s office said in a statement.

Kunapuli is expected to appear in federal court in Boston later on Tuesday.

He made “unwanted sexual advances toward a female passenger aboard an Etihad Airlines flight, including touching her hair and taking photographs of her without her consent,” Levy’s office said.

Kunapuli returned to his seat after a crew member intervened.

Later in the flight, two passengers sitting next to him saw him masturbating under a blanket and “sometimes with his penis completely exposed,” Levy’s office said. One of the passengers reported this to a flight attendant, who informed the police.

Kunapuli was arrested on Monday.

The lewd, indecent and obscene act charge in the United States Special Aviation Jurisdiction provides for a sentence of up to 90 days in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $5,000.