<p>An Indian software consultant, on a work visa in the US, was convicted by a Chicago court today of groping a woman while they were seated next to each other aboard an airplane.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Srinivasa S Erramilli, 45, remains free on bond pending sentencing, which has been set for April 26, 2013, by US District Judge Joan H Lefkow.<br /><br />He faces a maximum sentence of two years in prison and a USD 250,000 fine. Incidentally he was convicted twice previously for nearly identical crimes.<br /><br />Evidence at the trial showed that Erramilli was the last passenger to board a Southwest Airlines flight to Chicago's Midway Airport on June 14, 2011, and was seated in the only open seat available between the victim, who had chosen a window seat to sleep during the flight, and her husband, who had chosen an aisle seat to enable easier access during the flight.<br /><br />The couple had travelled to Las Vegas for their 34th wedding anniversary, the Department of Justice said in a statement.<br /><br />The victim testified that Erramilli groped her three times aboard the plane.<br />She struck Erramilli and yelled at him after realising that he had been groping her. Other passengers and flight attendants also testified during the trial, the press statement said.<br /><br />The federal grand jury in Chicago also heard testimony from another victim who was seated in the row in front of Erramilli when he groped her on a flight from Detroit to Chicago in August 1999.<br /><br />Erramilli pleaded guilty to battery in Cook County in 2000 and was sentenced to two years' probation and five days' community service.<br /><br />In 2002, Erramilli was sentenced in Federal Court in Detroit to three years' probation after he was convicted of abusive sexual contact for groping yet another woman aboard a flight from San Jose, California, to Detroit.</p>
<p>An Indian software consultant, on a work visa in the US, was convicted by a Chicago court today of groping a woman while they were seated next to each other aboard an airplane.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Srinivasa S Erramilli, 45, remains free on bond pending sentencing, which has been set for April 26, 2013, by US District Judge Joan H Lefkow.<br /><br />He faces a maximum sentence of two years in prison and a USD 250,000 fine. Incidentally he was convicted twice previously for nearly identical crimes.<br /><br />Evidence at the trial showed that Erramilli was the last passenger to board a Southwest Airlines flight to Chicago's Midway Airport on June 14, 2011, and was seated in the only open seat available between the victim, who had chosen a window seat to sleep during the flight, and her husband, who had chosen an aisle seat to enable easier access during the flight.<br /><br />The couple had travelled to Las Vegas for their 34th wedding anniversary, the Department of Justice said in a statement.<br /><br />The victim testified that Erramilli groped her three times aboard the plane.<br />She struck Erramilli and yelled at him after realising that he had been groping her. Other passengers and flight attendants also testified during the trial, the press statement said.<br /><br />The federal grand jury in Chicago also heard testimony from another victim who was seated in the row in front of Erramilli when he groped her on a flight from Detroit to Chicago in August 1999.<br /><br />Erramilli pleaded guilty to battery in Cook County in 2000 and was sentenced to two years' probation and five days' community service.<br /><br />In 2002, Erramilli was sentenced in Federal Court in Detroit to three years' probation after he was convicted of abusive sexual contact for groping yet another woman aboard a flight from San Jose, California, to Detroit.</p>