( CNN ) -- A New Jersey man was convicted Friday of sexually abusing a woman while she slept during a 2012 airline flight , the U.S. district attorney 's office said . Bawer Aksal , 49 , of North Bergen was convicted of one count of sexual abuse and one count of abusive sexual contact following a five-day trial in federal court . The jury in Newark deliberated seven hours before returning its guilty verdicts , according to a statement from the federal prosecutor 's office . Aksal was arrested in August 2012 when he arrived aboard a flight from Phoenix , Arizona , to Newark Liberty International Airport . According to the statement , Aksal was sitting in the middle seat in a row of three seats , while the victim was next to him in the window seat . The incident took place about an hour before landing , when the aisle passenger looked to his right and saw Aksal `` half into the victim 's seat , with his body against the victim 's . His right arm around the back of her and his left hand beneath a sweater that was draped over her . '' The victim awoke to find Aksal 's hands insider her shirt and shorts , and she struggled out of his grasp , the prosecutor 's statement said . Both the aisle passenger and the victim immediately headed to the back of the plane to report what happened to the flight attendants . The federal government has exclusive jurisdiction over all sexual abuse cases that occur on U.S. flights , as such events are outside the jurisdiction of any state . Aksal now faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $ 250,000 fine . `` Mr. Aksal is very disappointed , '' Aksal 's attorney , Robert J. Degroot . told CNN after the verdict . `` He felt that the trial presented evidence that did not meet the necessary burden . He has faith in the American system and he feels that he will ultimately be vindicated . '' Aksal is scheduled to be sentenced in court on October 23 .
The victim awoke as another passenger was assaulting her with his hands , prosecutors said . She reported the incident to flight attendants , as did a third passenger who saw the assault . A 49-year-old New Jersey man was arrested when the plane landed . That man was convicted Friday and could be sentenced to life in prison .