United States of America v. Justin Baker

Seattle, Washington criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with assaulting teen

California man who molested teen on flight sentenced to two years in prison

A 42-year-old Los Angeles County, California man was was indicted for abusive sexual contact aboard an aircraft enroute to Seattle from Burbank, California. Justin Baker was arrested March 14, 2024, when the Alaska Airlines plane arrived at SEA.



"This was a calculated and predatory sexual assault on an 18-year-old girl,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Miller. "Mr. Baker underestimated the victim's strength in testifying, as well as the commitment we have in the Western District of Washington to hold these aircraft offenders accountable.”



Baker was in the middle seat, with the victim seated to his right next to the wall of the plane. Baker learned the victim was preparing to go to college and was just 18 years old. According to testimony at trial, Baker showed the teen sexually explicit text messages he had on his phone and then draped his jacket over his lap as well as her lower body. The victim attempted to move away from Baker and closer to the wall. He reached under the jacket and groped her leg. Despite the victim saying "No” and moving away when he first tried to touch her, he continued to grope her genitals over her clothing. Then he reached into her top and groped her breast



Ultimately, the victim got out of her seat to contact the flight crew. As she tried to pass by Baker, he groped her buttocks and pulled her back down into her seat. Ultimately the victim was able to leave and report the assault.



Speaking in court today, Assistant United States Attorney Grace Zoller said Baker, "treated the victim like an object... He dehumanized her.”



The victim shared how the assault has "shattered the trajectory of her life.” She told the court about anxiety around airports and flying, and how her family and loved ones "have watched me change in ways I have never imagined.” Her goal she said is to "hold Baker accountable.”



Judge Coughenour said he was imposing the maximum two-year sentence because of the "seriousness of the crime, the harm to the victim and the danger (Baker) poses to the community.”



When released from prison, Baker will be on five years of federal supervision and will be required to register as a sex offender.



The case was investigated by the FBI and the Port of Seattle Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kristine Foerster and Grace Zoller.