‘Piggyback Bandit’ facing child endangerment charges after massaging teen’s back

NEWARK, N.J. – A Washington man who allegedly massaged a teenage boy’s back without his permission at a New Jersey airport and handed him a note with money inside is facing child endangerment charges.

Port Authority police say Sherwin Shayegan – dubbed the “Piggyback Bandit” by regional news outlets for similar behavior in the past – touched the 14-year-old at a luggage carousel in Newark Liberty International Airport around 3:10 p.m. Friday and gave him a note that stated, “This is money for letting me give you a massage. Thank you.”

Authorities say the note also included “alarming content,” but didn’t provide further details.

Investigators tracked the 34-year-old Bothell man to a hotel near the airport. They say he had “disturbing notes” and money in envelopes with the names of various airports in the United States written on them.

It wasn’t known Saturday if Shayegan has retained an attorney.

Shayegan gained notoriety after an Associated Press story chronicled multiple instances in which he made unwanted physical contact with student athletes, sometimes asking for a piggyback ride. In a handful of cases, Shayegan – reported to weigh around 240 pounds – jumped on a player’s back uninvited.

He has been banned from schools in five states.