Accused Southwest Groper Says President OK'd His Actions
The Florida man accused of having groped a sleeping woman during their Southwest Airlines flight from Houston, Texas, to Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Sunday told police his actions were OK because the president said so, according to authorities.
After 15 to 20 minutes aboard Flight 5421 from William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) to Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ), Bruce Michael Alexander, 49, of Tampa, Florida, reached around the seat in front of him and fondled a female passenger's torso, arm and the area around "the bra line," police said. The woman, who did not know Alexander, told him to stop and asked to be moved to another seat. The crew notified law enforcement, who were waiting when the plane landed in New Mexico.
Alexander said he spent most of the flight asleep, but as he was being transported to jail in handcuffs, told officers that he was within his rights to molest the woman because “the president of the United States says it’s ok to grab women by their private parts," according to the criminal complaint.
Federal authorities formally charged Alexander with abusive sexual contact on Monday, and he remains in custody. He faces two years in prison and a $250,000 fine if he is found guilty.
