The woman awoke as another passenger was assaulting her with his belt , prosecutors said . She reported the incident to flight attendants , as did a third passenger who saw the assault . Aksal now faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $ 250,000 fine . A year - old New Jersey man was arrested when the plane landed . That man was convicted Friday and will be sentenced to life in prison .
The woman awoke as another passenger was assaulting her with his belt , prosecutors said . She reported the incident to flight attendants , as did a third passenger who saw the assault . A year - old New Jersey man was arrested when the plane landed . That man was convicted Friday and will be sentenced to life in prison .