A man accused of groping a woman on a flight told police that President Donald Trump said it was acceptable to grab women, according to court documents.
The man faces a charge of abusive sexual contact in New Mexico after allegedly touching the breasts of the passenger seated in front of him. The woman was assisted by cabin crew to move to another seat, and the man was arrested upon arrival in Albuquerque.
The criminal complaint states that the accused told officers that 'the President of the United States says it's ok to grab women by their private parts.'
During the 2016 presidential campaign, a recording emerged of Mr Trump boasting about grabbing women by the genitals. He later apologised, saying the comments did not reflect who he was.
The woman reported waking from sleep to find herself being touched around her bra line. She initially assumed it was accidental but was groped again half an hour later, prompting her to confront the man.
The accused remains in custody pending a preliminary hearing. A conviction for abusive sexual contact carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
