In a deeply disturbing case, former American Airlines flight attendant Estes Carter Thompson III, 37, has been arrested on charges of attempting to record a minor female passenger using the bathroom during a September 2023 flight.
Federal prosecutors in Boston revealed that Thompson, of Charlotte, North Carolina, is also accused of possessing recordings of four additional minor female passengers who used bathrooms aboard the same aircraft.
Recording Multiple Minor Passengers in Bathroom
The alarming incident sheds light on the vulnerability of unaccompanied minors during air travel and raises concerns about passenger safety.
Thompson faces charges of attempted sexual exploitation of children and possession of child pornography depicting a prepubescent minor.
US Attorney Joshua Levy emphasized the gravity of the accusations, stating that Thompson allegedly used his position to prey on and surreptitiously record innocent children, including unaccompanied minors, while in a vulnerable state aboard flights he was working.
The charges underscore the need for heightened vigilance and protective measures within the aviation industry.
On September 2, 2023, Thompson was working on an American Airlines flight from Charlotte to Boston when the alleged incident occurred. Prosecutors claim that Thompson approached a 14-year-old girl, directing her towards the first-class lavatory under the guise of it being unoccupied.
Before she entered, he informed her of a broken toilet seat and briefly entered the lavatory himself. Charging documents reveal that Thompson concealed his iPhone beneath red stickers on the toilet seat lid, recording a video without the victim’s knowledge.
The minor victim discovered the concealed iPhone and reported the incident to her parents, who, in turn, informed other flight attendants and the pilot.
Law enforcement was notified, leading to the confrontation between the victim’s father and Thompson, who locked himself in the lavatory before the flight’s descent. Upon arrival at Boston’s Logan Airport, authorities observed potential tampering with Thompson’s iPhone, and a subsequent search of his suitcase revealed 11 “inoperative catering equipment” stickers.
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American Airlines Responds to Arrest of Former Flight Attendant
Further investigations uncovered four instances between January and August 2023 where Thompson allegedly recorded minors using the lavatory on different flights. The victims were seven, nine, 11, and 14 years old at the time.
Shockingly, Thompson’s iCloud account contained over 50 images of a nine-year-old unaccompanied minor, including pre-flight photos and close-ups of her face while sleeping.
Following Thompson’s arrest, American Airlines issued a statement expressing their serious concern over the allegations. The company emphasized its commitment to cooperating fully with law enforcement, prioritizing the safety and security of customers and the airline team.
The incident underscores the necessity for continued efforts to ensure passenger safety and prevent such heinous acts within the aviation industry.
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