By Erika Hernandez
A incident of alleged sexual abuse on board an international flight has generated concern regarding air safety. The accused, Guillaume Sebastien Roger Mattler, forty eight years old, faces charges after being accused of attacking a 29-year-old woman while she was sleeping during a trip between Zurich and Miami.
According to a criminal complaint obtained by the Day-to-day Mail, the incident occurred on Swiss Worldwide Air Lines flight LX64, where both passengers were traveling in the first class cabin without previously knowing each other.
According to witnesses, the initial interaction between the two was brief and cordial. Afterwards, the woman settled down in her seat and fell asleep. It was at that moment when the accused would have started touching her in the lower part of the back, apparently simulating accidental contact.
Reports of inappropriate behavior
The situation escalated when, according to testimonies, the man continued the physical contact for a longer time. A passenger alerted a companion, recorded what happened and notified the crew.
Another witness claimed to have observed movements with the hand that suggested an attempt to insert it under the victim’s clothing. Upon being informed, a flight attendant verified that the passengers had no relationship with each other and went to the seat.
The crew claimed to have seen the accused with his hand on the woman’s crotch, making rubbing movements on the clothing. Given the seriousness of the situation, the man was relocated to economy class while the victim was informed of what happened.
Reaction of the victim and actions of the crew
After being awakened, the woman – visibly affected – confirmed that she did not know the accused. The crew acted immediately to ensure their safety and prevent further incidents.
Before landing, the man briefly returned to his actual seat to collect his belongings, at which point he allegedly attempted to deliver a note to the victim with the message: “You look beautiful when you sleep.”
Upon arriving in Miami, the suspect was questioned by authorities. He initially denied any physical contact, but He later admitted touching the woman, downplaying the seriousness of his actions.
Mattler faces a charge of sexually abusive conduct and remains detained in a federal detention center in Miami while the judicial process continues.
