Airline passenger convicted for assaulting child on Orlando Flight

FLORIDA – A man traveling on an airliner to Orlando has been found guilty of assaulting a child seated next to him on the aircraft.

A federal jury last week found Brian Patrick Durning, 52, of Altadena, California, guilty of assault of a minor on an aircraft and two counts of simple assault, said United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg.

Durning faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison on the first offense, and up to two years in prison on the second offense. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 26, 2023. Durning had been indicted on July 6, 2022.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Durning boarded a redeye flight from Los Angeles to Orlando and was seated next to a 13-year-old girl. The child had been separated from the rest of her family, who were seated two rows away from her.

Reportedly, after the cabin lights were dimmed and most of the passengers fell asleep, Durning assaulted the child. A nearby passenger awoke and reportedly observed one of Durning’s hands between the child’s legs and intervened.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Air Marshals, and the Orlando Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael P. Felicetta and Courtney Richardson-Jones.