Man Pulled His Pants Down, Shouted 'Rape' At Airport After Assaulting Sleeping Nurse On Plane

A Missouri man, who reportedly pulled his pants down and shouted "rape" at an airport after being apprehended by authorities for assaulting a sleeping nurse on a plane in 2021, has been sentenced to 21 months in federal prison.

According to a press release by the Department of Justice, Scott Russell Granden, 36, of St. Louis, has been sentenced on Wednesday, April 6, in federal court for the inflight assault. In addition to the 21-month prison sentence, Granden will also be required to register as a sex offender and was ordered to spend one year on probation, the Daily Beast reported.

On March 25, 2021, Granden was reportedly traveling from St. Louis to Atlanta on a Southwest flight. The suspect was seated in a middle seat next to the victim, an emergency room nurse. The victim was reportedly exhausted from a hectic day of work and tried to rest after the plane took off.

However, during the flight, the victim awoke to discover that Granden’s hand was on her thigh. She then removed his hand and went back to sleep. However, just moments later, the suspect again began touching her inappropriately.

He allegedly moved his hand to her groin area and tried to kiss the victim. The women then loudly warned Granden to stop touching her. However, when she stood up to let him pass to go to the restroom, Granden slapped her on the buttocks, KIRO 7 reported.

Following this, the woman complained to the flight attendants and related the suspect's salacious actions. Granden was immediately moved to another seat. When the flight landed in Atlanta, officers were notified of the suspect's behavior and he was held in custody at the airport.

However, Granden refused to cooperate with officers, he allegedly proceeded to yell homophobic and racial slurs while also pulling down his pants and yelling “Rape!” He was then arrested.

In September 2021, Granden pleaded guilty to the charges against him. He was sentenced to 21 months in prison and will have to spend a year on probation.

“Reports of sexual assaults on aircraft are increasing and we want the public to know that these assaults are federal crimes with severe consequences,” Philip Wislar, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, said. “The FBI will continue to work with our partners to investigate and prosecute these crimes to keep the skies safe for everyone.”