California man who sexually abused teenager on flight learns his fate

A California man received a two-year prison sentence after sexually abusing a teenage girl on a flight.

San Francisco resident Ryan Coffey, 33, molested the 14-year-old girl sitting next to him on a five-hour flight in January 2023, according to court documents. 

On the American Airlines evening flight from Charlotte, North Carolina, to San Diego, Coffey gave the teen rum and touched her breasts and inner thighs.

Another passenger recalled she heard the girl tell Coffey - who she just had met - she was nervous about the flight.

He then pulled a bottle of rum from his bag, as reported in a witness statement seen by the Los Angeles Times.

As stated in the memo: 'Then he patted her on the leg and gave her his hand to hold.

'He even held her by the waist while watching a movie during the flight.'

In the sentencing memorandum, prosecutors said a passenger overheard the teen tell the aggressor she was underaged, NBC San Diego reported. 

In an August statement, FBI San Diego Special Agent in Charge TJ Holland said: 'Ryan Coffey’s conduct was abhorrent.

'The FBI, along with our dedicated law enforcement partners, remain committed to using all tools available to follow the evidence and bring those who commit crimes against children to justice.' 

The girl was on the flight with her brother, but he was in a different row. She was seated between two strangers and it was dark on the plane.

She later reported the incident to her friend.

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Coffey was indicted for Sexual Abuse of a Minor and Abusive Sexual Contact in March of this year, according to the Department of Justice. 

In August, he pleaded guilty and admitted to inappropriately touching the teenager. 

In an August statement, US Attorney Tara McGrath said: '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.

'The US Attorney’s Office is committed to protecting the public in the air, on the ground, or at sea.'

He received his two-year prison sentence on Monday, along with 10 years of supervised release and approximately $11,000 in fines and restitution, according to the Los Angeles Times. 

Incidents of sexual abuse on aircrafts are are on the rise, according to an FBI statement from April.

The agency reported that in 2023, they opened up 96 cases of on-flight sexual assault. Men were typically the perpetrators and women and unaccompanied minors were generally the victims. 

The statement reads: 'The attacks generally occur on long-haul flights when the cabin is dark. The victims are usually in middle or window seats, sleeping, and covered with a blanket or jacket. 

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'They report waking up to their seatmate’s hands inside their clothing or underwear. Many passengers may consume alcohol or take prescription drugs to relax or sleep, and this can both lend a false sense of security and may tempt offenders who find these victims vulnerable. 

'In addition, offenders are known to take advantage of the fact that some victims might not report an incident because they are embarrassed, don’t want to cause a scene, or may try to convince themselves the assault was accidental.'

In August, a New Jersey woman sued American Airlines after she was allegedly sexually assaulted on a flight from Charlotte to Newark Liberty International Airport in August, 2022.  

The unnamed victim claimed that after taking a seat next to her friend, the woman closed her eyes to sleep and 'an unknown male passenger' penetrated her digitally.

She blamed the airline for not preventing or intervening in the attack. 

The lawsuit said: 'Shortly after takeoff, the flight attendant turned off the cabin lights, and Plaintiff closed her eyes to sleep.

'Plaintiff awoke to find the Perpetrator’s left arm inside her pants and his right hand forcing her hand onto his penis.'

According to the suit, the stranger covered them up with a black puffer jacket.

The woman was described as being frozen and in a 'state of shock and panic.'

Also, the traveler managed to climb on top of the woman and continue his assault.

She pushed the alleged attacker off of her and woke up her friend, who reported the incident to a flight attendant.

The woman was switched to a different seat for the remainder of the flight.

After the aircraft landed, the man was escorted off the plane and authorities took reports from the victim and other passengers.