Mercer Island man sentenced to 10 years for sexual abuse of teen on Seattle-bound flight

Munir Walji, a 72-year-old resident of Mercer Island, Washington, has been sentenced to 10 years for the sexual abuse of a 15-year-old girl during a Delta flight in 2021. On January 17, 2025, the U. S. District Court in Seattle delivered the verdict following a four-day trial that outlined the harrowing details of the incident. The victim, who was asleep, awoke to find Walji inappropriately touching her and attempting to unbuckle her seatbelt.

The mother of the victim promptly alerted flight attendants, who moved them to a different row and contacted law enforcement, leading to Walji's arrest. U. S. Attorney Gorman described the defendant's actions as "shocking conduct" that traumatized the victim and her family. Despite a recommendation for a 30-month sentence, Judge Tana Lin imposed a 10-year term, citing the severity of Walji's actions.

However, due to his serious health issues, including blood cancer, he was allowed to serve the first two years of his sentence under home confinement. This incident highlights growing concerns about sexual abuse on airplanes and the need for enhanced safety measures for passengers.