A Lycoming County man was sentenced to one year of home detention yesterday for fondling a woman on an airplane.

Michael Lamar Holland, 47, of Montoursville, pleaded guilty to engaging in abusive sexual contact in April before Senior U.S. District Judge Alan N. Bloch.

He faced a recommended guideline range of six to 12 months in prison.

According to a criminal complaint filed in the case, Mr. Holland was flying from Washington, D.C., to Seattle on Dec. 30, when the incident occurred. He was seated in an aisle seat, next to a woman and her daughter. A witness saw Mr. Holland begin stroking the woman's hair while she was sleeping. The victim was unaware of what was occurring.

The witness said she saw Mr. Holland put his hand in his lap and that he appeared to be masturbating, the complaint said. After that, Mr. Holland put his hand on the victim's breast, over her clothing. The woman became aware of what was happening and objected at least five times.

She alerted the crew and two air marshals on the plane. When they approached him, Mr. Holland did not cooperate. He was forcibly removed from his seat and taken to a different area of the plane, which was then diverted to Pittsburgh International Airport.