Flight Attendant Sentenced for Secret Airplane Toilet Camera

Introduction to the Case

A flight attendant accused of taping his cellphone to the lid of an airplane toilet to secretly film young girls was sentenced to just under 20 years in prison Wednesday.

Former American Airlines flight attendant Estes Carter Thompson III received a sentence of 18 and a half years, followed by five years of supervised release.

Sentence and Court Proceedings

Boston U.S. District Court Judge Julia Kobick called his behavior “appalling" and said child victims’ “innocence has been lost” because of his actions. Thompson was arrested and charged in January 2024 in Lynchburg, Virginia, after authorities said a 14-year-old girl on his flight discovered his secret recording setup in the lavatory. He was indicted last year on one count of attempted sexual exploitation of children and one count of possession of child sexual abuse images depicting a prepubescent minor.

Apology and Charges

He apologized in court Wednesday, describing his actions as “selfish, perverse and wrong.” An American Airlines flight attendant was arrested after allegedly filming underage girls as young as 7 years old. Police alleged Thompson, of Charlotte, North Carolina, had recordings of four other girls between the ages of 7 and 14 using aircraft lavatories over a 9-month period.

Impact on the Victims

In a sentencing memorandum submitted in court, U.S. government attorneys said Thompson “robbed five young girls of their innocence and belief in the goodness of the world and the people they would encounter in it, instead leaving them with fear, mistrust, insecurity, and sadness.” Thompson, who will serve his sentence at FMC Butner in North Carolina, intends to undergo sex offender-specific treatment, his attorneys said. A lawyer for Thompson said via email Wednesday he wouldn’t be commenting.

Conclusion

The sentencing of Estes Carter Thompson III serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and the need for strict measures to protect vulnerable individuals, especially children, from such heinous crimes. It also highlights the severe consequences that perpetrators of such crimes can face, emphasizing the commitment of the justice system to safeguarding the innocent and punishing those who violate the trust placed in them.

FAQs

Q: What was Estes Carter Thompson III sentenced for?

A: Thompson was sentenced for attempted sexual exploitation of children and possession of child sexual abuse images.

Q: How long was Thompson sentenced to prison?

A: Thompson was sentenced to 18 and a half years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.

Q: Where will Thompson serve his sentence?

A: Thompson will serve his sentence at FMC Butner in North Carolina.

Q: Did Thompson apologize for his actions?

A: Yes, Thompson apologized in court, describing his actions as “selfish, perverse and wrong.”