A Newport man pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court to one count of simple assault for conduct involving a 16-year-old during a flight from Tampa, Florida, to Providence last November, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island.
James F. Brugman, 54, entered the plea before U.S. District Judge Melissa R. DuBose. Prosecutors described the Nov. 17, 2025, incident as inappropriate conduct involving the minor.
Brugman was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 22. He is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 21, 2027.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Federal Air Marshal Service through the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, and is being prosecuted by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles C. Calenda and Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie M. White.
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