A jury in Los Angeles found Marcelo de Jesumaria, 46, guilty of touching the woman's buttocks, breast and groin during a night-time flight last August from Philadelphia to Los Angeles.
According to AP, the woman, a model, says she woke up as Jesumaria was touching her and reported the abuse to flight attendants and later an FBI agent. Jesumaria told the agent that he enjoys "cosy flights" with women and purposefully changed his seat to be next to the woman, but he denied touching her.
Prosecutors said Jesumaria's testimony suggested the priest's actions were consensual "because she did not reject his touches and he interpreted her silence, because she was asleep, as 'coyness.' "
Jesumaria's lawyer argued that the priest didn't deserve a prison sentences and understood the seriousness of his actions.
"Someone could say he brought it on himself. But I think the same message could have been brought as a misdemeanour conviction, which would have allowed him to continue as a priest with a stern warning about his behaviour. Now that's over, and I think that's a sad ending to this tale," said attorney Steven Cron.
However, Cron also said Jesumaria now realised "it was inappropriate to touch her at all without her consent."
Jesumaria's former Diocese of San Bernardino, California issued a statement describing the priest's actions as "sinful and unlawful."
"We removed him from ministry in the diocese immediately after we became aware of this allegation in November," the statement said. "We are deeply regretful of any harm that may have occurred as a result of his actions."
Flight attendants reported that the woman was pale, shaking and on the verge of tears when she reported what happened.
Jusumaria's lawyer said the former priest was now "contemplating, praying and focusing on the next part of his life."
