West Chester Man Guilty of Mid-Air Abuse
Edward Decker, 46, of West Chester, PA, has pleaded guilty to one count of abusive sexual contact on an aircraft, a crime that shook a family’s trust in air travel. The disturbing incident occurred on July 29, 2022, during an overnight American Airlines flight from San Diego, California to Philadelphia.
According to court documents, Decker intentionally touched the thigh and breast of a minor while she was sleeping, waking her up to find him with his hands and face under her clothes and on her body. The victim’s family was left traumatized, and the incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of air travel safety.
‘The facts of this case are incredibly disturbing — a parent’s nightmare, really,’ said U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero. ‘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.’
“This guilty plea demonstrates that those who commit sexual assault aboard aircrafts will be held responsible,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, special agent in charge of FBI Philadelphia. “While our office will continue to aggressively pursue offenders, we encourage everyone to be aware of their surroundings while in flight and to report incidents of abusive sexual contact to their flight crew and the FBI.
Sentencing is set for September 23, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., and the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of three years’ imprisonment. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Josh A. Davison.
The guilty plea is a step towards justice for the victim and her family, who will continue to navigate the trauma of this incident. As the Grimy Times continues to investigate and report on crimes aboard aircraft, we urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior to authorities.
Decker’s actions have left a dark stain on the reputation of air travel, and it is up to us to ensure that such incidents do not happen again. The Grimy Times will continue to shine a light on crimes like these, holding perpetrators accountable and advocating for the rights of victims.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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