by Alex Lloyd Gross
On July 29, 2022, Edward Decker was on an American Airlines flight from California to Philadelphia. It was an overnight flight and some people on the plane were tired. Including a teenage girl seated next to him. Police said that Decker maneuvered himself on the plane so that he could place his hands on the girls thighs while she slept.
While she slept, Decker also placed his face on her breast, officials said. The horrified teenager woke to find him in that position.
“The facts of this case are incredibly disturbing — a parent’s nightmare, really,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “Not only should people feel safe putting their kids on a plane to get from Point A to Point B, everyone should feel free to close their eyes mid-flight without fearing a seatmate’s intentions. We and the FBI will continue to crack down on these crimes aboard aircraft, to support and ensure justice for the victims.”
“This guilty plea demonstrates that those who commit sexual assault aboard aircrafts will be held responsible,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, special agent in charge of FBI Philadelphia. “While our office will continue to aggressively pursue offenders, we encourage everyone to be aware of their surroundings while in flight and to report incidents of abusive sexual contact to their flight crew and the FBI.”
Sentencing is set for September 23, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. and the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of three years’ imprisonment. Decker entered a guilty plea yesterday to one count of Abusive Sexual Contact on an airplane.