American ex-pat pleads guilty to groping fellow airline passenger
ALEXANDRIA, Va. / Friday, August 15, 2025 – An American residing in the United Arab Emirates pled guilty yesterday to abusive sexual contact aboard an aircraft in flight.
According to court documents, on June 6, Darrell Ray Seale, 56, was a passenger aboard a flight from Boston Logan International Airport to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Shortly after ascent, Seale intentionally touched himself and another passenger in a sexual manner without the victim’s consent.
After the victim gestured for Seale to stop, Seale removed his hand, but later again started touching the victim without the victim’s consent. Shortly afterward, the victim notified a flight attendant and was reseated for the remainder of the flight. Seale’s actions were witnessed by a third passenger.
Seale is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 5 and faces up to two years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Joshua P. Stone, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office's Counterterrorism Division, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Trenga accepted the plea.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith Clement and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Morgan are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:25-cr-193.
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Source: U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Virginia
