A Seattle man has been found guilty of abusive sexual contact during a flight from Billings, Montana to Seattle. Keith Witt, 55, was convicted in U.S. District Court in Seattle after jurors deliberated for about an hour and a half following a two-day trial. The announcement was made by First Assistant United States Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. Sentencing is set for May 22, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez.
Court records and trial testimony revealed that the incident occurred on August 11, 2023. The victim, a 19-year-old woman, was seated at the window with Witt next to her in the aisle seat during the approximately 90-minute flight. Witt began talking to the victim immediately upon boarding and asked several personal questions that made her uncomfortable. He also touched her shoulder and earbuds, prompting her to pretend to sleep.
While she tried to avoid interaction by moving closer to the wall of the plane, Witt placed his hand on her seat and then touched her thigh. He continued moving his hand toward her shorts despite her reactions. The victim noticed that Witt appeared sexually aroused and rubbing himself when she opened one eye. She left her seat for the front of the plane and reported what happened to the flight crew before isolating herself in the restroom and texting her mother.
Flight attendants moved Witt to another seat at the back of the plane after being notified by the victim. Upon arrival at SeaTac Airport, Port of Seattle Police met the aircraft and interviewed both parties.
Assistant United States Attorney Rachel Yemini stated during closing arguments: “There is no motive for (the victim) to fabricate the story. She suffered the consequences: she had to talk to the flight attendant; she had to talk to the detectives; she had to come to court and describe what happened to her to strangers. She had no motive to fabricate these allegations.”
Assistant United States Attorney Brian Wynne addressed Witt’s claim that any contact was accidental due to him falling asleep: “He was testing boundaries, pressing those boundaries… he does not want to bring attention to himself… he is trying to do it slowly and methodically. That is evidence of his intent.”
Abusive sexual contact on an aircraft carries a maximum penalty of up to two years in prison.
The investigation was conducted by both FBI agents and Port of Seattle Police officers.
Prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Rachel Yemini and Brian Wynne.
