Passenger blames Ambien for abusing girl, woman during flight

A California man who is accused of molesting a girl during a flight from San Francisco to Florida has said he behaved the way he did because he took Ambien, a prescription sleep aid, the New York Post reported.

Brian Patrick Durning was arrested at Orlando International Airport after he allegedly penetrated the girl with his finger and attempted to grab the breast of a female passenger who tried to intervene.

According to court documents, the 51-year-old Delta pilot was seated in the aisle next to a girl between 12 and 16 years old. Her mother was seated elsewhere due to a problem in the reservation.

According to the documents, Durning ordered an alcoholic beverage after the flight took off and began sneezing and coughing on the girl.

He then allegedly touched her hair and neck before attempting to put his arm around her, which caused her to lean to one side.

Durning then touched the minor's left thigh and moved it toward him while calling her "honey," according to the complaint. He then penetrated her over her clothing, the document states.

The girl "became frozen as a result of Durning's conduct," the documents state.

At one point, a woman sitting next to the couple woke up from a nap and saw Durning quickly move his hand away from the girl's groin area, according to court documents.

Alarmed, the woman asked the girl if the man had touched her and she said yes, the documents continue.

The passenger told federal agents that the young victim was "shaking and crying" and that she switched seats with the child to create distance from Durning.

After the woman told the man not to talk to the girl, he tried to touch the lady's breast, according to the complaint.

The passenger eventually called the victim's mother, who went to check on her daughter and confronted Durning, whose pants were unbuttoned, according to the documents.

A flight attendant placed Durning in another seat until the plane landed.

The suspect was met by agents after landing and said he had a couple of drinks and an Ambien before boarding, according to the documents.

"Durning claims that he fell asleep," court papers state. "He said the next thing he remembered was waking up and being asked to change seats."

He is now charged with abusive sexual contact with a minor and committing a crime on board a flight.

Durning was released pending trial but surrendered his passport, according to court documents.