A West Chester man has been sentenced to six months in prison for sexually abusing a minor on an overnight flight, U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced. The man identified as Edward Decker, 46, pleaded guilty in May to abusive sexual contact aboard an aircraft and will also face one year of supervised release, coupled with a restitution of $4,000.

According to details released by the U.S. Attorney's Office, the incident took place on July 29, 2022, during an American Airlines flight from San Diego to Philadelphia. Decker deliberately touched the sleeping minor's thigh and breast. The victim awoke to find Decker's hands and face under her clothes, and on her body,

In a statement, Romero described the assault by stating, "Edward Decker’s actions on that plane are profoundly disturbing. There’s no excuse for touching anyone in a sexual manner without their consent — let alone a sleeping underage stranger." She commended the victim's courage and affirmed the ongoing commitment of her office and the FBI to seek justice for victims of in-flight crimes.

Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia, highlighted that everyone has the right to fly without fear of being sexually assaulted. "Every person has an expectation of and, indeed, the right to fly on a U.S. aircraft without being abusively sexually contacted," Jacobs and, reiterated the resolve to support victims and hold perpetrators accountable. The FBI led the investigation with assistance from partners at Philadelphia International Airport.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Josh A. Davison, as part of an ongoing effort to address crimes occurring within the jurisdiction, whether at ground level or amidst the clouds.