A cruise ship hairstylist is facing federal charges after prosecutors say he sexually assaulted multiple women during appointments inside a small, windowless barbershop, according to the US Attorney’s Office.
Pranit Pawar, a 26-year-old Indian national employed aboard Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady during an Alaskan cruise, allegedly guided passengers from the main salon into a secluded, dimly lit barbershop room where the assaults occurred, according to a federal complaint made public Monday.
The complaint says Pawar admitted taking four to five women into the barbershop for what he described as “massages.” The filing specifically outlines two alleged incidents on June 26 involving women identified only as “V1” and “V2.”
During V1’s salon visit, Pawar allegedly offered her a massage and then led her into the adjoining barbershop. Once there, investigators say, he placed his hands under her shirt and fondled her for about 10 minutes.
Later that day, authorities allege, Pawar approached a second passenger, V2, after previously offering her a “complimentary massage” tied to future hair appointments she had booked.
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Claiming he was working on “underarm pressure points,” Pawar allegedly reached under the woman’s bra and groped her. When he asked to move to her other breast, the woman refused and left the room, according to the complaint.
The next day, Pawar allegedly approached the victim’s daughter and asked about her relationship status.
Investigators also allege Pawar locked the door behind him during at least one of the two June 26 encounters. He was arrested by the FBI after the ship returned to Seattle.
While the hairdresser reportedly told agents the massages were for “therapeutic reasons,” he later admitted to the unwanted contact and stated he “totally regrets his actions.”
The 26-year-old was charged with two counts of abusive sexual contact aboard a cruise ship — which carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison.
Because the assaults occurred within special maritime territorial jurisdiction, the case is being handled in federal court.
In a statement, Virgin Voyages called the allegations a “profound violation of the trust and standards” expected of its crew. The cruise line did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
