A young girl told police she was sexually assaulted aboard a flight from Honolulu to Phoenix.

When police questioned the 40 year old passenger, he eventually admitted to some of her claims.

The 40 year old man that police have in their custody tonight is Shawn Cole.

He is a navy chief stationed at Pearl Harbor.

We interviewed a psychologist who spoke in general terms about this type of crime against children.

When a 13 year-old girl got on a flight to Phoenix, she could never expect the man sitting next to her would later be accused of hurting her...like many victims of assault.

"She doesn't realize, he has a plan and is grooming her to be involved," explains Dr. Marti Barham, a Psychologist.

Psychologists agree many of let our guards down once we're aboard a plane...

"We're safe on an airplane, surely I don't have to watch who I talk to," continues Barham.

And experts say that's the time situational sex offenders take advantage of...

"Are they always alert, I would say in many ways yes," says Barham, about most sex offenders.

Court documents say 40 year old Shawn Cole engaged in conversation during the flight and the girl told him she was 13 years old, in 8th grade.

He is a Chief Store Keeper aboard the USS Olympia stationed at Pearl harbor.

The two reportedly began watching a movie on Cole's laptop computer and both had blankets on their laps.

Later, when the young girl began falling asleep, that's when investigators say Cole began fondling himself and molesting her multiple times.

"He's so self absorbed and his thinking is so distorted. The idea that he would get caught is not the primary motivation," explains Barham about how many sex offenders think.

The young girl said she pretended to sleep because she said she was afraid.

A flight attendant than noticed Cole touching her lips, and asked the man if he was traveling with the girl.

He said yes.

But the girl spoke up and said no

Hawaiian Airlines released a statement saying "as soon as the crew became suspicious that something wasn't right they separated them. We hope he will be held accountable for his actions."

By the time the plane landed at Phoenix Sky Airport, the pilot had already dispatched police.

But investigators say the man had already abused, humiliated, and harassed the young girl.

"Children aren't as judgemental of adults as we are to each other, and sex offenders know that well," adds Barham.

Hawaiian Airlines says a parent was on the plane with the victim, but was seated a few rows in front of her.

As for Cole, he remains in custody and awaits a hearing next week.