NEW DELHI: An American airlines flight attendant Estes Carter Thompson III, 36, was indicted on Thursday following accusations of attempting to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane restroom last September. Authorities have further disclosed that Thompson had recordings of four additional girls using lavatories on an aircraft where he was employed.
Thomson was arrested for attempted sexual exploitation of children and possession of images of child sexual abuse depicting a prepubescent minor.
Thompson faced charges and was arrested in Lynchburg, Virginia, in January 2024. He has remained in federal custody since then. Following the indictment by a federal grand jury, Thompson’s lawyer stated that they were unable to provide any comment.
During a flight from Charlotte to Boston on September 2, 2023, investigators reported that midway through the journey, the 14-year-old attempted to use the main cabin lavatory closest to her seat, only to discover it was already occupied.
Investigators said that Thompson then informed her that the first-class lavatory was available and accompanied her there. Prior to her entering the bathroom, Thompson allegedly mentioned that he needed to wash his hands and cautioned her about a broken toilet seat.
After he left, the teen entered the bathroom and she saw red stickers on the underside of the toilet seat lid, which was in the open position, officials said.
Beneath the stickers, Thompson had concealed his iPhone to record a video, investigators said. The girl used her phone to take a picture of the stickers and concealed iPhone before leaving.
Prosecutors also allege hundreds of images of child sexual abuse generated through artificial intelligence were found stored on Thompson’s iCloud account.
A search of Thompson’s iCloud account uncovered four more instances between January and August 2023 where Thompson recorded a minor using the lavatory on an aircraft. The individuals in the recordings were aged 7, 9, 11, and 14 at the time, as reported by investigators. Authorities have informed the families of those depicted in the recordings, they added.
Attempting sexual exploitation of children can result in a prison sentence ranging from 15 to 30 years, while possessing images of sexual abuse involving a prepubescent minor can lead to up to 20 years behind bars. Both offenses also carry the possibility of at least five years to a lifetime of supervised release, along with a fine of up to USD 250,000 and the requirement for restitution.
American Airlines previously issued a statement saying the flight attendant was “immediately withheld from service” and hasn’t worked since the phone was discovered.
Thomson was arrested for attempted sexual exploitation of children and possession of images of child sexual abuse depicting a prepubescent minor.
Thompson faced charges and was arrested in Lynchburg, Virginia, in January 2024. He has remained in federal custody since then. Following the indictment by a federal grand jury, Thompson’s lawyer stated that they were unable to provide any comment.
During a flight from Charlotte to Boston on September 2, 2023, investigators reported that midway through the journey, the 14-year-old attempted to use the main cabin lavatory closest to her seat, only to discover it was already occupied.
Investigators said that Thompson then informed her that the first-class lavatory was available and accompanied her there. Prior to her entering the bathroom, Thompson allegedly mentioned that he needed to wash his hands and cautioned her about a broken toilet seat.
After he left, the teen entered the bathroom and she saw red stickers on the underside of the toilet seat lid, which was in the open position, officials said.
Beneath the stickers, Thompson had concealed his iPhone to record a video, investigators said. The girl used her phone to take a picture of the stickers and concealed iPhone before leaving.
Prosecutors also allege hundreds of images of child sexual abuse generated through artificial intelligence were found stored on Thompson’s iCloud account.
A search of Thompson’s iCloud account uncovered four more instances between January and August 2023 where Thompson recorded a minor using the lavatory on an aircraft. The individuals in the recordings were aged 7, 9, 11, and 14 at the time, as reported by investigators. Authorities have informed the families of those depicted in the recordings, they added.
Attempting sexual exploitation of children can result in a prison sentence ranging from 15 to 30 years, while possessing images of sexual abuse involving a prepubescent minor can lead to up to 20 years behind bars. Both offenses also carry the possibility of at least five years to a lifetime of supervised release, along with a fine of up to USD 250,000 and the requirement for restitution.
American Airlines previously issued a statement saying the flight attendant was “immediately withheld from service” and hasn’t worked since the phone was discovered.