A cruise ship hairstylist is going through federal prices after prosecutors say he sexually assaulted a number of ladies throughout appointments inside a small, windowless barbershop, in keeping with the US Lawyer’s Workplace.
Pranit Pawar, a 26-year-old Indian nationwide employed aboard Virgin Voyages’ Sensible Girl throughout an Alaskan cruise, allegedly guided passengers from the primary salon right into a secluded, dimly lit barbershop room the place the assaults occurred, in keeping with a federal criticism made public Monday.
The criticism says Pawar admitted taking 4 to 5 ladies into the barbershop for what he described as “massages.” The submitting particularly outlines two alleged incidents on June 26 involving ladies recognized solely as “V1” and “V2.”
Throughout V1’s salon go to, Pawar allegedly supplied her a therapeutic massage after which led her into the adjoining barbershop. As soon as there, investigators say, he positioned his fingers underneath her shirt and fondled her for about 10 minutes.
Later that day, authorities allege, Pawar approached a second passenger, V2, after beforehand providing her a “complimentary therapeutic massage” tied to future hair appointments she had booked.
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Claiming he was engaged on “underarm strain factors,” Pawar allegedly reached underneath the girl’s bra and groped her. When he requested to maneuver to her different breast, the girl refused and left the room, in keeping with the criticism.
The following day, Pawar allegedly approached the sufferer’s daughter and requested about her relationship standing.
Investigators additionally allege Pawar locked the door behind him throughout a minimum of one of many two June 26 encounters. He was arrested by the FBI after the ship returned to Seattle.
Whereas the hairdresser reportedly informed brokers the massages had been for “therapeutic causes,” he later admitted to the undesirable contact and said he “completely regrets his actions.”
The 26-year-old was charged with two counts of abusive sexual contact aboard a cruise ship — which carries a most sentence of two years in jail.
As a result of the assaults occurred inside particular maritime territorial jurisdiction, the case is being dealt with in federal court docket.
In a press release, Virgin Voyages known as the allegations a “profound violation of the belief and requirements” anticipated of its crew. The cruise line didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
