Pennsylvania man pleads guilty to sexually assaulting minors during flight – NBC10 Philadelphia

A Pennsylvania man pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a minor while she was sleeping on a flight in 2022, U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced.

Edward Decker, 46, of West Chester, pleaded guilty Thursday to sexual abuse on an airplane.

According to court documents, on July 29, 2022, Decker intentionally touched the thigh and chest of a minor while she was sleeping on board an American Airlines flight from San Diego, California, to Philadelphia.

The minor awoke from her sleep on that overnight flight to find that Decker, who was sitting in her row, had his hands and face under her clothes and on her body, court documents state.

Resources for victims of sexual assault are available through the National Sexual Violence Resources Center and the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 800-656-4673.

“The facts of this case are incredibly disturbing – every parent’s true nightmare,” Romero said. “Not only should people feel safe putting their children on an airplane to get from point A to point B, but everyone should also have the freedom to close their eyes mid-flight without fear of the intentions of a seatmate. We and the FBI will continue to crack down on these crimes on board aircraft to support victims and bring them justice.”

According to officials, sentencing is scheduled for September and Decker faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison.

“This guilty plea demonstrates that those who commit sexual assault on board aircraft will be held accountable,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, special agent in charge of the FBI Philadelphia, in a press release. “While our office continues to aggressively pursue perpetrators, we encourage everyone to be aware of their surroundings while flying and to report incidents of sexual abuse to the flight crew and the FBI.”