Pawar allegedly admitted he had been offering massages to clients, despite acknowledging that massages were not part of his job duties and were not a service offered by the salon or barber shop.
A 26-year-old Indian national employed as a hairstylist aboard the Virgin Voyages cruise ship Brilliant Lady has been charged in federal court after allegedly sexually assaulting two female passengers during what he claimed were complimentary massages on an Alaska cruise.
Pranit Narayan Pawar made his initial appearance Monday in US District Court in Tacoma on two counts of abusive sexual contact aboard a cruise ship, according to the US Attorney's Office for the Western District of Washington.
Court documents obtained by The Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI allege Pawar used his position in the ship's salon to lure female passengers into a dimly lit barber shop adjacent to the salon, where prosecutors say he touched their breasts without consent under the guise of providing therapeutic massages.
According to the criminal complaint, one victim had a scheduled salon appointment on June 26 when Pawar allegedly offered her a massage. After she accepted, he escorted her into the adjoining barber shop—a small room with dark walls, dark flooring, dim lighting, and no windows in the door. Once inside, investigators say Pawar slid his hands underneath her shirt and bra strap before massaging both of her breasts for approximately 10 minutes without her consent.
The second victim told investigators Pawar had offered her a complimentary massage if she booked two additional salon appointments. The massage was reportedly entered into the salon's booking system as a "consultation." According to the complaint, Pawar escorted her into the private barber shop, left briefly, then returned and locked the door behind him before telling her he intended to work on her "underarm pressure points." Prosecutors allege he then moved her bra aside and massaged her left breast—including her nipple. When Pawar asked whether he could massage her right side, she refused, stood up, and left the room.
Investigators say Pawar allegedly approached the woman's daughter the following day and asked about her mother's relationship status.
The complaint also indicates there may be additional victims. During an FBI interview after the ship docked in Seattle on July 2, Pawar allegedly admitted he had been offering massages to clients for the previous 10 to 12 days, despite acknowledging that massages were not part of his job duties and were not a service offered by either the salon or barber shop aboard the vessel. He further admitted to taking four or five women into the barber shop to provide massages.
According to investigators, Pawar admitted to massaging the breasts of the two women identified in the criminal complaint. He also described another incident involving a woman in a white tank top, whom investigators believe is a third victim. That woman reportedly told investigators that Pawar fully exposed her breasts and nipples during the massage. That alleged assault has not been charged in the current complaint.
While Pawar told investigators he believed he was providing therapeutic massages and "did not intend to harm anyone," the complaint says he also admitted he now feels guilty, regrets his actions, and understands that his behavior "would be harassing."
Because the alleged crimes occurred aboard a Bermuda-flagged cruise ship that departed from and returned to Seattle, the case falls within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, giving federal authorities jurisdiction over the investigation.
The FBI is investigating the case and is urging anyone who experienced or witnessed similar conduct aboard a cruise ship to report it to ship security, local law enforcement, or the FBI. If convicted, Pawar faces up to two years in prison on each count.
Libby’s Desk
Commentary and must-reads from Libby’s desk, straight to your inbox.
TPM Newsletter
The Post Millennial’s top stories, delivered to your inbox.
