West Chester Man Sexually Assaulted Child On Flight: Feds

WEST CHESTER, PA — A West Chester man has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a minor while on a cross-country flight, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced.

Edward Decker, 46, had been charged with one count of abusive sexual contact on an aircraft.

The incident occurred back on July 29, 2022 on an American Airlines flight from San Diego to Philadelphia.

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."

“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," Romero said in a statement. "We and the FBI will continue to crack down on these crimes aboard aircraft, to support and ensure justice for the victims.”

Decker's sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 23. He faces a maximum of three years behind bars.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case, which is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Josh A. Davison.