A distressing incident has emerged from a Delta Air Lines flight, where a woman returning from a Taylor Swift concert in Phoenix, Arizona, to Seattle, Washington, alleges she was sexually assaulted by a former Delta employee. The accused, Duane Brick, 53, has admitted guilt to abusive sexual contact against a sleeping passenger seated beside him during a 2023 flight.
Details revealed by the US Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington depict a harrowing account of the assault, including the victim awakening to find Brick groping her breast and placing her hand on his crotch. Brick confessed to these acts, citing his own sexual gratification as motivation. The victim had reportedly smelled alcohol on Brick’s breath before falling asleep, only to wake up to the disturbing violation.
Following the assault, both the victim and a witness promptly informed flight attendants, leading to Brick being relocated after a 15-minute delay. Brick now faces a potential prison sentence of up to two years for his actions. The victim has filed a lawsuit against Delta and Brick, accusing them of gross negligence, assault, and battery.
The lawsuit alleges that Delta failed in its duty to ensure passenger safety, claiming the airline overserved alcohol to Brick and inadequately trained its employees to prevent and address such incidents. Delta, in response, stated its commitment to zero tolerance for unlawful conduct and cooperation with law enforcement.
This disturbing incident underscores the need for airlines to prioritize passenger safety and take proactive measures to prevent and address instances of sexual assault onboard. As the legal proceedings unfold, advocates are calling for increased vigilance and accountability within the airline industry to ensure that all passengers can travel without fear of such violations.