Michigan Woman Says She Was Sexually Assaulted On Spirit Flight

METRO DETROIT, MI — A Metro Detroit woman says she was sexually assaulted aboard a Spirit Airlines flight and that the airline did little to help her when she reported it to flight attendants.

The incident reportedly happened on Jan. 21 on a flight from Atlanta to Detroit, when the 22-year-old woman, in a middle seat between a friend and a stranger, says the man next to her put his hands inside the back of her pants while she slept. She told outlets he had his jacket over his lap, pleasuring himself, according to reports.

Tia Jackson told media outlets that she called a flight attendant who offered to move her, but that she wanted the man moved so she could stay by her friend. In the end, no one was moved and Jackson is displeased with how the situation was handled. She now plans to try to file a lawsuit.

Spirit issued a statement saying, "Our flight attendants on board that flight learned of the alleged incident 18 minutes prior to landing when the guest pressed the call button and received immediate attention. Once she told the flight attendant who came to her seat, the flight attendant directed her to a different seat. The cabin crew wanted to move her, as opposed to him, because the move would have left him with an empty seat on one side and an aisle on the other. By the time the guest declined to move, landing was imminent and everyone had to be seated as required by federal regulation. Law enforcement began its investigation immediately after the flight arrived. We are supporting law enforcement as they investigate.”

She did file a report with police at the airport, according to reports. Patch left a message seeking a comment with the Metro Airport Police.