A man accused of groping a 14-year-old girl, then telling her "don't tell your mom" during a flight to San Francisco has been released on $5000 bond following a hearing Friday.
The Smoking Gun reports that a man named Bed Prakash was seated next to the girl, who was flying unaccompanied on US Airways flight 749 from from Charlotte, North Carolina to SFO on Thursday, August 7. During that flight, the 14-year-old told the FBI, Prakash allegedly touched her breast at least twice before starting to rub her upper thigh.
When she resisted, he allegedly took her hand, told her that he loved her, then "whispered a statement that included the word 'sucking' then added 'don't tell your mom.'"
From the criminal complaint:
According to the complaint, the girl informed flight attendants of Prakash's alleged assault and was moved to another seat.
Next thing you know, the victim was speaking with FBI special agent Bianca N. Betz, who filed this complaint in San Francisco's US District Court the next day.
Following a hearing Friday, Prakash was released on $5000 bail, and is expected to return to court on August 25, "at which a Hindi interpreter will be provided for him," the Smoking Gun reports.
According to the complaint, if found guilty, Prakash could face as long as a year in prison, a $100,000 fine, and five years probation.
From page two of the criminal complaint filed against Bed Prakash on August 7, 2014. (The Smoking Gun)
