Alpharetta Man Ranchhodbhai Lakha gets 6 months for touching plane passenger

Sep 13, 2011 - 20:00
Sep 13, 2011 - 20:02
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Alpharetta Man Ranchhodbhai Lakha gets 6 months for touching plane passenger
Ranchhodbhai Lakha

ATLANTA -- An Alpharetta man will spend six months in federal prison for inappropriately touching a sleeping Delta Airlines passenger.

”This defendant thought he could get away with taking advantage of a defenseless, sleeping passenger sitting next to him. He was wrong. He will now serve time in a federal prison, United States Attoey Sally Quillian Yates said.

Ranchhodbhai Lakha, 61, was sentenced to six months in prison, followed by a year of supervised release. He is also required to pay a $5,000 fine and register as a sex offender. Lakha pleaded guilty in June.

Last September, the passenger woke up to Lakha, a former hotel owner, touching her. When she removed his hand, he touched her again. The victim reported the incident to a flight attendant.

The FBI led the investigation, with the help of Atlanta police and Federal Air Marshals.

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Mike Gallagher Mike Gallagher is a Georgia-based freelance journalist covering local news, community developments, and regional issues that matter most to residents across the state. Writing for Georgianewsday.com since 2016, Mike has built a reputation for clear, balanced reporting and a strong connection to the communities he serves. His work spans city council decisions, school board updates, small business features, public safety reports, and statewide policy changes. In addition to local coverage, Mike occasionally reports on state politics and national headlines, offering readers context on how broader decisions impact Georgia communities. Known for his steady, fact-driven approach, Mike prioritizes accuracy, fairness, and accessibility in every story. Whether covering a town hall meeting or breaking political developments, he aims to inform readers with clarity and integrity. Outside the newsroom, Mike remains actively engaged in Georgia’s civic landscape, always seeking the next story that shapes the state’s future.