Man accused of sex assault on NJ-bound flight

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -Auigust 22, 2012 (WPVI) -- A man accused of sexually assaulting a sleeping woman during a cross-country flight is facing arraignment.

Bawer Aksal is due in federal court in Newark Wednesday.

The U.S. Attorney's Office says the 48-year-old North Bergen resident was sitting in the middle seat on a flight from Phoenix to Newark Monday night when he assaulted the woman who was sitting in the window seat.

According to the complaint, Aksal slipped one hand into the woman's blouse and another into her shorts.

Authorities say a passenger in the aisle seat noticed the incident and offered to help the woman, who reported it to flight personnel.

Aksal allegedly told law enforcement officers in Newark that the woman forced his hand into her shorts.

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sex assault, newark, new jersey, local/state

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