Flight attendant sentenced to nearly 20 years for recording underage girls in airplane bathrooms.

A former flight attendant with American Airlines, Estes Carter Thompson III, has been sentenced to nearly two decades in prison for his role in secretly filming underage girls in airplane bathrooms. Thompson received an 18.5-year prison sentence during a hearing in Boston on Wednesday. Beyond incarceration, he will also be subjected to five years of supervised release, during which he is required to register as a sex offender and undergo treatment aimed at sex offenders.

Thompson’s sentencing follows his guilty plea to one count of attempted sexual exploitation of children and one count of possession of child sexual abuse images involving prepubescent minors. These charges stemmed from disturbing incidents that took place between January and September 2023. Prosecutors described how Thompson allegedly transformed airplane lavatories into covert filming locations by securing his cellphone under the toilet lid. He misled young passengers into using the restroom so he could capture footage of them.

The investigation into Thompson began on September 2, 2023, after a flight from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Boston. During the flight, a 14-year-old girl found that her restroom of choice was occupied. Thompson then offered to escort her to the first-class restroom, which he claimed was available. Upon entering, the girl discovered an iPhone concealed under the toilet lid, which led to an immediate alert of the situation.

Following the discovery, authorities arrested Thompson, and a subsequent search of his phone revealed disturbing evidence: images of at least four other girls, aged 7, 9, 11, and 14, captured in similar compromising situations. U.S. government attorneys articulated the profound impact of Thompson’s actions on his young victims, stating that he infringed upon their innocence and instilled fear, mistrust, and emotional trauma.

The case has garnered significant attention, highlighting the urgent need for vigilance in ensuring the safety of children in public spaces, particularly on commercial flights. This conviction serves as a reminder of the critical role that law enforcement and community awareness play in protecting the vulnerable from exploitation.

As the investigation concludes, authorities continue to remind the public of the responsibility to remain alert and proactive in safeguarding the welfare of minors in various settings.

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