Former American Airlines Flight Attendant Sentenced for Child Exploitation

News Summary

Estes Carter Thompson III, a former flight attendant for American Airlines, was sentenced to 18.5 years in prison for sexually exploiting minors. His guilt involved the attempted exploitation of children and possession of child pornography, after disturbing evidence was discovered including hidden cameras on flights. The case raises serious concerns regarding child safety in secure environments such as commercial flights. American Airlines has since removed Thompson from service, while a civil lawsuit against the airline is pending.

Boston, Massachusetts – Estes Carter Thompson III, a former flight attendant for American Airlines, has been sentenced to 18.5 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges involving the sexual exploitation of minors. Following his prison term, Thompson will be subject to five years of supervised release.

Thompson’s sentencing, which took place in a Massachusetts court, comes after his admission of guilt for attempted sexual exploitation of children and possession of child pornography. Under the plea agreement, Thompson had acknowledged a potential prison term of between 15 to 20 years. The U.S. Attorney’s Office had recommended the maximum sentence of 20 years, while Thompson’s defense team sought a minimum of 15 years.

The case began in January 2024 when a 14-year-old girl discovered an iPhone hidden in the first-class bathroom of a flight traveling from Charlotte to Boston. Thompson, who had directed the girl to use that particular restroom by saying the main cabin’s was occupied, had concealed the phone under a red sticker indicating the toilet was inoperative. Upon discovering the device, the girl documented it with a photo and reported the incident to her parents and flight attendants. This confrontation prompted Thompson to lock himself inside the bathroom until the flight landed.

When police examined the iPhone at Logan Airport, they discovered it had been reset to factory settings, but a deeper investigation into Thompson’s belongings produced further alarming evidence. Eleven “INOPERATIVE CATERING EQUIPMENT” stickers were found in his suitcase, and a review of his iCloud account revealed videos featuring four young girls aged between 7 and 14, recorded in similar circumstances. Additionally, more than 50 images of a 9-year-old unaccompanied minor were located, including intimate photographs taken while she was sleeping.

Federal prosecutors highlighted the severity of Thompson’s crimes, emphasizing that he exploited his position of trust as a flight attendant to target vulnerable young girls, instilling fear and robbing them of their innocence. On the other hand, Thompson’s defense portrayed him as a first-time offender who is genuinely remorseful and seeking rehabilitation, noting that he has since become sober and plans to engage in treatment for sex offenders while incarcerated.

American Airlines responded promptly to the discovery of the hidden camera, removing Thompson from service immediately. He has not been employed by the airline since the incident. In light of the events, a civil lawsuit has been filed against American Airlines by the family of one of the victims, which remains pending in court.

The case has drawn attention to the potential dangers that can exist in seemingly secure environments such as commercial flights, raising concerns about child safety and the responsibilities of those in positions of authority. As the details of this case continue to unfold, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and protection for vulnerable individuals, especially children.

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Additional Resources

• Boston.com
• Boston Herald
• NBC DFW
• USA Today
• New York Post
• Wikipedia: Flight attendant
• Google Search: flight attendant child exploitation
• Google Scholar: flight attendant abuse
• Encyclopedia Britannica: flight attendant
• Google News: flight attendant sentencing