West Chester Man Sentenced To Prison Sexual Assault Of Child On Plane: Feds

Crime & Safety

West Chester Man Sentenced To Prison Sexual Assault Of Child On Plane: Feds The man waited until mid-flight when the girl had fallen asleep, officials said.

WEST CHESTER, PA — A West Chester man has been sentenced to time behind bars after sexually assaulting a child during a flight from San Diego to Philadelphia, federal authorities announced.

Edward Decker, 46, will spend six months in prison. The judge also ordered a year of probation following his release, and a $4,000 fine in restitution to the victim.

The incident occurred back on July 29, 2022 in the middle of the flight, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania said.

Decker touched the victim, a girl under the age of 18, on her inner thighs and breasts, authorities said. When the girl woke up from sleeping, Decker's "hands and face" were under her clothes and on her body, according to federal officials.

U.S. Attorney Jacqueline Romero called the case "a parent's nightmare, really."

"Edward Decker's actions on that plane are profoundly disturbing," Romero added. "There's no excuse for touching anyone in a sexual manner without their consent — let alone a sleeping underage stranger."

Going into his trial, Decker had faced a maximum of up to three years behind bars on the charges of abusive sexual contact on an aircraft.