MISSOULA – A New Jersey man who sexually assaulted another passenger while flying from Bozeman, Montana to Dallas, Texas was sentenced yesterday to more than eight months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Bhaveshkumar Dahyabhai Shukla, 40, pleaded guilty in July 2025 to one count of abusive sexual contact in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States. Shukla, an Indian citizen, likely will be deported to India following his release from custody.

U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.

The government alleged in court documents that on Jan. 26, 2025, Shukla was flying from Bozeman to Dallas on American Airlines. He was seated next to Jane Doe and Doe’s daughter.

Jane Doe had a coat on her lap because she was

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