A Boston doctor is facing a federal charge for allegedly committing lewd acts in front of a 14-year-old girl while on board a Hawaiian Airlines flight last year.
He was arrested Thursday and released on conditions following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston. It was not immediately known if he had an attorney. Christopher DiMenna, acting special agent in charge of the FBI, Boston Division, added that Mohanty's actions were"reprehensible." About halfway through the flight, prosecutors said the teen observed that Mohanty had covered himself with a blanket up to his neck and his leg was bouncing up and down. A short time later, the teen said the blanket was on the floor, and she could see that Mohanty was performing a sex act on himself. The girl moved to an empty seat in a different row for the rest of the flight.