A Fayetteville man has been sentenced to 10 months in prison, five years of supervised release, and a handed a $2,000 fine for sexual contact without consent while on an airplane flying into Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

Ryan Eugene Larned, 38, will also have to register as a sex offender.

On July 26, Larned pleaded guilty to the charge pursuant to an agreement, said Don Connelly, public information officer for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

“Safe air travel is essential to our economy and keeping families connected,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley Jr. “This defendant assaulted a young woman traveling alone, and now he will be spending time behind bars and will be identified as a sex offender in the community. No passenger, flight crew or flight attendant should have to fly in fear. My office will continue to prosecute crimes that jeopardize the safety of the flying public.”

Larned, 38, flew on an American Airlines flight from Charlotte-Douglas International Airport to Raleigh-Durham International Airport where he was seated next to a 17-year-old girl who was flying alone, according to court documents and other information presented in court.

“The female, a high school junior, was in the window seat while Larned was in the middle seat,” Connelly said. “Without engaging in conversation and without consent, the 6 foot, 2 inch 220-pound man proceeded to touch the groin area of the 5 foot, 1 inch 100-pound female. He placed his jacket over them and reached his hands inside the pants of the female.”

The victim immediately reported the assault.

FBI Special Agent Craig Noyes investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad DeVoe prosecuted the case.