Former Army soldier sentenced to one year in prison for abusive sexual contact on an aircraft

Press Release

Two teen girls report unwanted touching on flights when seated next to defendant

Seattle -A 42-year-old former Chief Warrant Officer in the Army, who was stationed in Alaska, was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 12 months in prison for abusive sexual contact while on board an aircraft, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. James Benecke was indicted in July 2023 and pleaded guilty in April 2024.

"Preying on teenagers in the confined space of an aircraft is traumatizing, and is happening far too often," said U.S. Attorney Gorman. "Those convicted of this crime are required to register as a sex offender. Some have been banned from certain airlines. We need to get the message across that this conduct is unacceptable and will be prosecuted."

According to records in the case, on April 12, 2023, on an Alaska Airlines flight from Anchorage to Seattle, Benecke intentionally touched the buttocks of a 16-year-old teen who was seated next to him. In the plea agreement, Benecke admitted that the contact was intentional for his sexual arousal.

Two months later, on June 12, 2023, on an Alaska Airlines flight from Dallas to Seattle, Benecke touched the buttocks and inner thigh of the 18-year-old woman who was seated next to him. In this instance, the contact was reported to the flight crew by the teen and her boyfriend and Benecke was moved to a seat at the rear of the plane. He was interviewed by law enforcement upon arrival in Seattle. In the plea agreement, Benecke again admitted that this contact was intentional for his sexual arousal.

Benecke was arrested at his duty station in Alaska last July.

As noted in the government's sentencing memorandum, the Western District of Washington "has experienced a significant increase in the number of reported airline sexual assaults over the last few years," and these crimes "have serious consequences on the victims." For the two victims in this case, "teenagers embarking on exciting travel opportunities, Mr. Benecke's actions diminished their sense of personal safety, and turned what should have been joyous, meaningful trips - one to a school sporting competition, and one returning home from college orientation - into sources of trauma."

The case was investigated by the FBI.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn Forstein and former Assistant United States Attorney Jocelyn Cooney.

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Updated July 18, 2024