American Airlines Flight Attendant Estes Carter Thompson III Arrested, Why was Estes Carter Thompson III Arrested? What Did Estes Carter Thompson III Do?
by Alaguvelan M | Updated Jan 19, 2024
American Airlines Flight Attendant Estes Carter Thompson III Arrested
A former American Airlines flight attendant, Estes Carter Thompson III, was arrested for disturbing allegations involving an attempt to record a minor female passenger in an aircraft bathroom.
The 37-year-old is accused of not only targeting one minor but also possessing recordings of four additional underage female passengers. The charges include attempted sexual exploitation of children and possession of child pornography, reflecting deeply troubling conduct that has raised concerns about child safety during air travel.
Thompson's arrest stems from an incident in September 2023 when he allegedly tried to film a 14-year-old girl using the bathroom on a flight from Charlotte to Boston. The victim's discovery of a concealed iPhone, accompanied by stickers indicating "inoperative catering equipment" and "seat broken," led to a confrontation with the girl's father.
The subsequent investigation unveiled more instances of Thompson recording minors in airplane bathrooms and disturbing images on his iCloud account. The 14-year-old victim has since filed a lawsuit against American Airlines, asserting negligence for not promptly confiscating Thompson's phone.
American Airlines issued a statement expressing their commitment to cooperating with law enforcement and underscoring their core mission of caring for people. The incident raises important questions about passenger safety during air travel and airlines' responsibility to prevent such incidents.
Thompson's arrest serves as a stark reminder of the need for stringent measures to ensure the safety and well-being of minors and passengers aboard commercial flights.
Who is Carter Thompson III?
Estes Carter Thompson III, aged 37, is from Charlotte, North Carolina. Thompson has been charged with serious offenses, including attempted sexual exploitation of children and possession of child pornography depicting a prepubescent minor. The charges stem from incidents involving the filming of minors, including incidents on an airplane where Thompson allegedly recorded minor girls using the lavatory.
What Did Estes Carter Thompson III Do?
Estes Carter Thompson III, an American Airlines flight attendant, was arrested for attempting to record a 14-year-old girl using an airplane lavatory and possessing recordings of four additional minor female passengers.
The charges include attempted child sexual exploitation and possession of child pornography, carrying potential penalties of a 50-year prison sentence, lifetime supervised release, and significant restitution if convicted. The deeply disturbing allegations emphasize the need for stringent measures to ensure the safety of minors during air travel.
American Airlines Flight Attendant Estes Carter Thompson III Arrested - FAQs
Thompson was arrested for allegedly attempting to record a minor passenger in an airplane lavatory.
Thompson faces charges of attempted child sexual exploitation and possession of child pornography depicting a prepubescent minor.
The 14-year-old victim noticed red stickers in the lavatory and found Thompson's concealed iPhone, leading to the incident's exposure.
The case raises concerns about passenger safety and underscores the need for vigilance in preventing inappropriate conduct by airline staff.
American Airlines expressed seriousness about the allegations, stating they don't reflect the airline's mission of caring for people.