November 1, 2013 – A Delta Airlines pilot,
Michael James Pascal, 45 has been charged with
sexual assault of an unaccompanied 14-year-old
girl while onboard Flight 855, a flight from
Detroit, Michigan to Salt Lake City, Utah.
Pascal who was a non-revenue ticketed passenger
was returning home after piloting an early
morning flight from Salt Lake City to Detroit
was seated in seat 44E a middle seat next to the
minor 44E a window seat.
The minor reported while seated, before takeoff
Pascal questioned her about her injured foot and
assisted her in obtaining a blanket from a
flight attendant. The minor placed the red
blanket over herself, placed the armrest down "I
made sure I had the armrest down because I
usually feel uncomfortable when people get too
close to me".
After takeoff the minor fell asleep with her
feet on her seat and her legs against her chest.
Sometime later during the flight the teen was
awakened by the assault.
The teen alleges she awoken to find her armrest
in the upright position, Pascal hand on her
buttocks and he was leaning on her with his eyes
opened, "he was clearly awake". The minor struck
Pascal in the right arm and removed his hand.
She further stated that’s when Pascal stated
"I'm sorry I'm sorry I was asleep, I have to use
the bathroom".
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