NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
San Francisco, CA — A California woman has filed a lawsuit against American Airlines, alleging she was sexually assaulted mid-flight by fellow passenger Cherian Abraham, a Texas tech executive, with a reported history of in-flight sexual misconduct. The lawsuit claims the airline failed to protect her and other passengers despite prior reports against Abraham.
Barbara Morgan says the assault occurred during a red-eye flight from San Francisco to Dallas on April 24, 2024. According to the complaint, Abraham allegedly groped her repeatedly, including placing his hand between her thighs. Despite her protests, no airline staff intervened. Morgan reported feeling afraid to speak up during the flight and says she was later criticized by airline personnel for not reporting the incident sooner.
The lawsuit, filed in San Francisco, accuses American Airlines of negligence, sexual battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and fraudulent concealment. It argues that the airline knew or should have known about Abraham’s history of misconduct and failed to take appropriate action.
Federal authorities charged Abraham with abusive sexual contact in March 2025, following an incident on a flight from Chicago to Seattle. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the 54-year-old Allen, Texas resident was seated next to a 22-year-old woman and groped her breast on three separate occasions during the March 18 flight. The victim initially thought the contact might be accidental, but after repeated touching, she confronted Abraham and reported the incident to a flight attendant. She was moved to another seat.
When questioned by authorities at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Abraham denied the allegations. He was arrested on March 23 and appeared in U.S. District Court in Seattle the following day. He was released on bond and was scheduled for a preliminary hearing on April 7, 2025.
According to the FBI’s investigation, this was not Abraham’s first such incident. On October 9, 2023, he was investigated by Minneapolis Airport Police after a woman reported that he touched her leg multiple times during a flight. The victim was relocated, but chose not to pursue charges.
American Airlines has since banned Abraham from future flights and stated that it is cooperating with law enforcement. “The safety and security of our customers and team members is our highest priority,” the airline said in a public statement.
If convicted, Abraham faces up to two years in federal prison. The case is being investigated by the FBI.
The civil suit filed by Morgan remains ongoing.
