Girl Sues Bedminster Man Who Had Sex With Her On Plane: Report

BEDMINSTER, NJ — The teenage sexual abuse victim of a former township man is suing him, mycentraljersey.com reported.

Stephen Bradley Mell, 53, is serving a seven-year sentence in Pennsylvania on federal receiving child pornography and engaging in interstate travel to engage in illicit sexual conduct, according to the report.

The victim said in the lawsuit that she has suffered "permanent, severe, and continuing injuries" including depression, low self-esteem and confidence, and suicidal tendencies, according to the report, which quoted the lawsuit.

The lawsuit said the victim, now 18, is undergoing psychological and psychiatric care, according to the report.

Mell met the teen in May 2017 when her mother wanted him to give her flight lessons, according to documents obtained by Bridgewater Courier-News. He then began texting her. He was 51 and she was 15.

The texts soon became sexual when he asked her if she knew how to perform oral sex, the Courier-News reports documents as saying.

On July 5, 2017, Mell performed sex acts on the child and the next day bought an emergency contraceptive pill for her, the outlet reported.

From July to December 2017, Mell "knowingly traveled in interstate commerce for the purpose of engaging in the production of child pornography and sexual acts with a minor who he knew to be less than 17 years of age," a release from the U.S. Attorney's New Jersey District said.

On a flight, Mell put the plane on autopilot and engaged in sex acts with the girl. He also took nude photos of her, the release said.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com