An Indiana man pleaded guilty this week to engaging in sexual contact with a sleeping woman on a flight from Indianapolis, Indiana, to Denver, Colorado, according to officials.
According to court documents, Ian Wagner, 39, of New Haven, was a passenger onboard a domestic flight from Indianapolis to Denver on Oct. 6, 2017.
Wagner was seated next to an 18-year-old woman. During the flight, the woman fell asleep and later awoke to Wagner rubbing her inner thigh with his hand. After jerking away, the victim took a photograph of Wagner. The geolocation data associated with the photograph indicated that the plane was flying over Hastings, Nebraska.
The victim then left her seat, sought refuge in the restroom, but eventually returned because she believed the flight was full and no other seats would be available.
After retaking her seat, she observed that Wagner had placed a jacket over his lap and his hand appeared to be moving up and down under the jacket. Wagner made eye contact with the victim and lifted his jacket to reveal his exposed penis. For over five minutes,
Wagner masturbated while staring at the victim. Frightened and troubled by the incident, the victim lodged a complaint with the airline two days later and with criminal authorities in the following weeks, officials stated.
Wagner pleaded guilty to one count of abusive sexual contact. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 15 and is facing up to three years in prison.
Wagner will be required to register as a sex offender.