A 33-year-old man has pleaded guilty to charges after giving alcohol to and sexually abusing a minor during an American Airlines flight from Charlotte to San Diego. The incident, which took place in January 2023, involved Ryan Coffey providing rum to a 14-year-old girl seated next to him, whom he did not previously know, as per court documents cited by WBTV.
Coffey's actions included touching the teen's inner thigh and breasts, actions that were carried out "in the dark" on the aircraft, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California disclosure that was referenced by an article in the Charlotte Observer. After being indicted on March 15, Coffey has faced the legal repercussions of his behavior on that ill-fated flight, admitting guilt to abusive sexual contact with a minor, though McClatchy News reported earlier this week that it was awaiting a response from both the airplane company and Coffey’s lawyers.
"Thanks to the courage of a brave girl who reported what happened in the dark on a plane, and swift engagement from law enforcement, this defendant was brought to justice," stated U.S. attorney Tara McGrath, shedding light on the conviction; this quote was presented in coverage by WCNC. Coffey now faces up to a maximum of two years in prison and will be required to register as a sex offender.
