PITTSBURGH — A Seattle-area man has been charged by federal air marshals with groping a female passenger aboard a United Airlines flight that was diverted to Pittsburgh as a result of the alleged incident.

Michael Lamar Holland, 46, made his initial appearance before a magistrate on Monday on a charge of abusive sexual contact, according to Ted Hresko, special agent in charge of the Pittsburgh air marshals' office.

Holland had been chatting with the 39-year-old woman Sunday on United Flight 917, which was bound for Seattle from Washington, D.C.

"The next thing you know, he's groping her," said Hresko. "The flight attendants asked our (air marshals) to get involved."

An affidavit filed with the charges said a witness saw Holland stroking the woman's hair while she was trying the sleep. Moments later, Holland fondled the woman who repeatedly objected and tried to get away from him, the affidavit said.

Holland was handcuffed by air marshals and taken to an empty seat in another part of the plane, Hresko said. The pilot opted to divert the flight to Pittsburgh.

JOHNSTOWN — Johnstown officials say they may revitalize the city's 91-year-old train station after encouragement from Amtrak and a recent increase in passengers.City Manager Curt Davis said city officials were spurred to consider fixing up the station after attending a meeting hosted by Amtrak. Officials say the railroad is serving more passengers, but that train stations are falling into disrepair.Johnstown officials say some have questioned spending money on the station because too few people use it. But the station served 17,368 riders in fiscal 2007, a 9 percent increase over the year before.