Mercer Island resident Munir Walji, 72, was sentenced to 10 years of supervised release on Jan. 17 for attempted sexual abuse of a minor on an aircraft.
The sentencing occurred in U.S. District Court in Seattle, and a U.S. Department of Justice press release notes that Walji must serve two of those years in home incarceration for attempted sexual abuse of a minor in special aircraft jurisdiction and abusive sexual contact in special aircraft jurisdiction, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman.
According to previous Mercer Island Reporter article, Walji groped a 15-year-old girl on a Delta Air Lines flight from Atlanta to Seattle on Nov. 10, 2021. He was convicted following a four-day jury trial in September 2024.
Gorman said in the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Western District of Washington press release that Walji’s shocking conduct traumatized the teen and impacted her family. The U.S. attorney added that her team will continue prosecuting such cases to hold perpetrators accountable.
On Jan. 17, U.S. District Judge Tana Lin said Walji’s conduct “called for a term of incarceration.” Regarding Walji’s extremely poor health, Lin noted, “But for your medical conditions I would impose a prison sentence. But I am deeply concerned that a prison sentence would be a death sentence.”
Walji’s attorneys said that he needs to take 20 medications a day for blood cancer and reduced lung function. “Being in a congregate setting would be life threatening,” the attorneys said in the press release.
The press release notes that prosecutors wrote to the court in regards to their asking for the 30-month sentence recommended by federal pretrial officers: “Despite Walji’s history of family support, opportunity, and career success, he chose to engage in behavior worthy of society’s condemnation. He chose to take advantage of a sleeping 15-year-old girl on a plane who did not know how to respond to this adult male’s nonconsensual sexual advances.”
In addition to the sentence, Lin imposed a $5,000 fine and ordered Walji to register as a sex offender.
In an Aug. 9, 2023, press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, it was noted that four Western District of Washington federal cases — including Walji’s — were filed regarding reports of sexual assault and misconduct on aircraft.
“It is imperative for people to understand those who commit these types of crimes aboard aircraft will be held accountable,” said Richard A. Collodi, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Seattle field office, in the release.
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