In January 2023, Ryan Coffey, a resident of San Diego, was aboard a cross-country flight when he allegedly provided alcohol to a 14-year-old who was seated beside him, as stated in court documents.
The individual was unaware of the young woman, who was 17 years younger than him, as stated by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Despite that, Coffey went on to sexually assault her during the lengthy American Airlines flight from Charlotte, N.C., to San Diego.
A federal judge has now handed down a prison sentence to Coffey for his actions.
A 33-year-old individual received a sentence on Monday that includes two years of imprisonment, followed by a decade of supervised release, along with nearly $11,000 in fines and restitution obligations. Coffey entered a guilty plea in August for charges related to the sexual abuse of a minor and abusive sexual contact.
The attorney did not respond to the call right away.
Coffey acknowledged in court that he provided the girl with rum and made inappropriate physical contact with her inner thigh and breasts, as reported by the Department of Justice.
A fellow traveler reported that she overheard the young passenger express her fear of flying to Coffey, as noted in a sentencing document. A witness statement in the memo reveals that he retrieved a bottle of alcohol from his bag and offered it to her to help her unwind.
The victim asserted that Coffey also purportedly compelled her to engage in digital penetration and coerced her into performing oral sex.
The sentencing memo highlighted that she was on the flight accompanied by a brother, as stated in the sentencing. He was positioned several rows in front of her, while the 14-year-old found herself sandwiched between two unfamiliar faces.