Man Allegedly Sexually Assaulted Sleeping Woman on Flight, Then Left Note Saying ‘You Look Beautiful When You Are Sleeping’

A French national has been taken into federal custody following allegations of sexual misconduct on a flight from Switzerland to Miami. Guillaume Sebastien Roger Mattler, aged 48, faces a charge of abusive sexual contact stemming from an incident that reportedly occurred on April 28 aboard a Swiss International Air Lines flight.

According to a criminal complaint filed in the Southern District of Florida, Mattler is accused of inappropriately touching a 29-year-old woman while she was sleeping next to him in the first-class section of the aircraft. The incident reportedly unfolded in front of several witnesses, including flight attendants, who ultimately intervened to separate the two after witnessing the alleged assault.

Eyewitness accounts detail that prior to the incident, the victim and Mattler had exchanged brief pleasantries. The situation escalated when the woman turned away from him and fell asleep. Approximately halfway through the flight, witnesses observed Mattler making inappropriate physical contact with the victim, initially purportedly trying to suggest that his hand had inadvertently slipped from the armrest.

As the incident continued, a second witness reported seeing Mattler’s hand slide towards the victim’s clothing, making movements that implied an intention to access her body. A flight attendant was alerted to the situation and quickly approached the duo, whereupon she spotted Mattler with his hand on the victim’s intimate area, prompting immediate action.

Following the confrontation, and unable to validate any acquaintance with the victim, flight staff moved Mattler from his original seat to the economy cabin to ensure the victim’s safety. However, during a later moment when he returned to collect his belongings, he attempted to communicate with the victim by handing her a note that stated, “You look beautiful when you are sleeping.”

The woman, upon being informed of the incident, expressed her shock and distress, becoming visibly upset. In interviews conducted post-flight, Mattler initially denied any wrongdoing but, after learning that multiple witnesses had seen the incident and that there was potential video evidence, he altered his account. He eventually admitted to having touched the woman but downplayed the seriousness of his actions.

Further into the conversation with authorities, Mattler suggested that his only aim had been to obtain the woman’s phone number. He subsequently produced a note from his pocket that was inscribed with a similar phrase about the victim’s appearance. This note also contained his flight information and seat number.

As investigations continue, Mattler remains in detention at the Federal Detention Center in Miami. His attorney has yet to provide a comment regarding the ongoing case. The incident has raised serious concerns about safety and the handling of accusations related to in-flight conduct, particularly in first-class compartments where privacy may provide a false sense of security.

While the case develops, officials urge anyone who has experienced sexual assault to seek support, highlighting the availability of resources like the National Sexual Assault Hotline. As these matters come to light, they underscore the importance of vigilance and accountability within shared public spaces such as airplanes.