NEWARK, N.J. – Ryan Manuella, a 30-year-old man from Cheektowaga, New York, has been sentenced to 24 months in prison for assaulting a female passenger on a flight to Newark Liberty International Airport.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced the sentencing, which took place on Thursday, by U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton.
The incident occurred on April 16, 2021, during a flight from Denver, Colorado, to Newark. Manuella admitted to moving to a vacant seat next to the victim and touching her without consent, causing her substantial emotional distress.
Following the prison term, Manuella will be under three years of supervised release.
The investigation leading to the sentencing was conducted by the FBI and the Port Authority Police Department.