Boston doctor facing charges after allegedly exposing himself to 14-year-old girl during flight
A Boston doctor is facing federal charges for allegedly committing lewd acts in front of a 14-year-old girl seated next onboard a flight from Hawaii to Boston last year, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Dr. Sudipta Mohanty, 33, is charged with one count of lewd, indecent, and obscene acts while in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the U.S., federal prosecutors said Thursday.
According to court documents, Mohanty allegedly masturbated and exposed himself within the view of a teenage girl, who was traveling with her grandparents, onboard a flight from Honolulu to Boston on May 27, 2022.
Prosecutors say that about halfway through the flight, the minor allegedly observed Mohanty cover himself with a blanket up to his neck and that his leg was bouncing up and down.
Shortly thereafter, the minor observed that the blanket was on the floor, no longer covering Mohanty and that he was masturbating. The minor moved herself to an empty seat in a different row for the remainder of the flight, according to prosecutors.
When the flight landed in Boston, the teen informed members of her family about the incident, and law enforcement was notified.
Christopher DiMenna, acting special agent in charge of the FBI, Boston Division, said that Mohanty’s actions were “reprehensible.”
Mohanty, an internal medicine and primary care doctor in Boston, was arrested on Thursday and was released on conditions following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston.
“Everyone, especially children, has the absolute right to not be exposed to lewd conduct when they are traveling,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “If you engage in the type of illicit behavior alleged here, you will be caught and held accountable wherever it happens.”
The charge of lewd, indecent, and obscene acts while in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States provides for a sentence of up to 90 days in prison, up to one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $5,000.
A spokesperson from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center says Mohanty “is on leave and not currently practicing at BIDMC. We are unable to comment further on personnel matters.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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