An American Airways The flight attendant was arrested on allegations that he tried to document a teenage passenger whereas she was utilizing the toilet, the US legal professional stated.
On Thursday, the FBI arrested Estes Carter Thompson III, 37, in Virginia and charged him with one depend of tried baby sexual exploitation and one depend of possession of kid pornography depicting a prepubescent minor, CBS Information reported. .
The flight attendant is accused of attempting to movie a 14-year-old woman whereas utilizing the toilet on a flight from Charlotte, North Carolina to Boston, Massachusetts.
{The teenager} discovered a cellphone that was hidden with stickers hooked up to the bathroom seat after Thompson stated the bathroom seat was damaged.
Authorities say the woman's father confronted Thompson, who had locked himself within the toilet along with his cellphone for 3 to 5 minutes.
When the airplane landed, police stated Thompson's cellphone had been manufacturing facility restored.
Nonetheless, Thompson's iCloud account was nonetheless being searched and police allegedly discovered 4 extra movies of Thompson recording a toddler utilizing the airplane toilet and greater than 50 photos of an unaccompanied 9-year-old, which additionally included footage taken of her whereas she was sleeping. .
Authorities additionally found a whole lot of photos of AI-generated photos of kid sexual abuse in Thompson's iCloud account.
“The deeply disturbing conduct reported right here is one thing no guardian or baby ought to ever have to fret about when touring. Mr. Thompson allegedly used his place to prey on and secretly document harmless kids, together with unaccompanied minors, whereas was in a weak state aboard the flights he was engaged on,” US Lawyer Josh Levy stated in a press release.
The 14-year-old woman who allegedly discovered Thompson's cellphone and her household have since sued American Airways, saying Thompson was in a position to destroy proof as a result of different crew members didn't confiscate her cellphone.
“We’re glad to listen to that the American Airways flight attendant has lastly been arrested. It’s also surprising to listen to that he allegedly preyed on no less than 5 minors whereas flying on American. Whereas the legal justice system should now do the his course towards the flight attendant, it stays to be seen if American Airways will now take some measure of duty to the households for what occurred. This could by no means be allowed to occur and may by no means occur once more.” , stated the lawyer, Paul Llewellyn, who represents {the teenager}.
American Airways stated Thompson has not labored for them for the reason that incident.
“We take these allegations very severely. They don’t mirror our airline or our core mission of caring for individuals. We have now absolutely cooperated with legislation enforcement of their investigation as there may be nothing extra vital than security and the security of our prospects and crew,” the airline stated in a press release.
