Pennsylvania man convicted of sexually assaulting a minor on a flight – NBC10 Philadelphia

A man from Pennsylvania who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a minor while she was sleeping on a plane in 2022 was sentenced, announced United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero.

Edward Decker, 46, of West Chester, was sentenced to six months in prison, one year of supervised release and $4,000 in restitution for inappropriate sexual contact on an airplane.

According to officials, on July 29, 2022, aboard an American Airlines flight from San Diego, California, to Philadelphia, Decker intentionally touched a minor’s thigh and breast while she was sleeping.

Authorities said the victim woke up during a night flight to find Decker sitting in her row with his hands and face under his clothes and on his body.

Decker pleaded guilty in May this year.

Information for victims of sexual violence can be obtained through the National Sexual Violence Resource Center and the National Sexual Violence Hotline at 800-656-4673.

“Edward Decker’s actions aboard the plane are deeply disturbing,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “There is no excuse for touching anyone in a sexual manner without their consent, let alone a sleeping underage stranger. The victim in this case showed extraordinary courage throughout the entire trial. My office and the FBI will continue to seek justice for victims of crimes under our jurisdiction, whether they were committed on the street or while flying thousands of feet above the ground.”

Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Philadelphia, added: “Everyone has expectations and, in fact, has the right to fly on an American plane without being subjected to sexual harassment. Our office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to both support victims of such crimes and hold perpetrators of such crimes accountable. We also thank our partners at Philadelphia International Airport for their assistance on this matter.”