In-Flight Safety

In a shocking revelation, a 36-year-old American Airlines flight attendant, Estes Carter Thompson III, faces severe charges for filming underage girls in airplane restrooms. Thompson, currently facing 50 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, was apprehended following the swift actions of a vigilant 14-year-old girl.

In-Flight Incident Unveiled On September 2, 2023, during a flight from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Boston, Massachusetts, Thompson was caught in the act by the alert teenager. He approached the girl waiting outside a busy bathroom, escorting her to a first-class restroom, citing a broken seat in the main cabin facility.

Disturbing Discoveries Inside the restroom, the 14-year-old noticed red stickers beneath toilet seats, bearing handwritten warnings like “INOPERATIVE CATERING EQUIPMENT,” “REMOVE FROM SERVICE,” and “SEAT BROKEN.” Upon attempting to flush, she observed an iPhone discreetly peeking out from under the stickers. Taking quick action, she snapped photos of the phone and stickers, later sharing them with her parents.

Swift Action and Confrontation Despite the father confronting Thompson, the flight attendant locked himself in the bathroom for five minutes before landing. The parents immediately alerted the captain, who contacted ground authorities in Boston.

Law Enforcement Intervention and iCloud Discovery Upon landing, law enforcement confronted Thompson, requesting to inspect his phone. Despite a factory reset erasing evidence, an iCloud search revealed disturbing footage and photos of young girls taken in airplane restrooms on at least four occasions. Victims included girls aged 7, 9, 11, and 14.

Alarming Contents The seized phone contained 50 photos of a 9-year-old girl, including close-ups while she slept and shots of her back. Additionally, AI-generated child exploitation material was discovered. Notably, the red stickers mentioned by the 14-year-old were found in Thompson’s bag, providing further evidence.

Airline’s Response Following the incident, Thompson was suspended from duty, and American Airlines issued a statement condemning his actions. The airline emphasized its commitment to passenger safety, stating, “We take these allegations very seriously… They do not reflect our airline or our core mission of caring for people.”

This chilling case underscores the importance of swift action and vigilance, as demonstrated by the courageous teen, leading to the exposure and arrest of a flight attendant involved in reprehensible activities.

Re-reported from the article originally published in The shethepeople