BOSTON- A 37-year-old former American Airlines (AA) flight attendant has pleaded guilty to secretly recording underage girls using airplane lavatories.
Estes Carter Thompson III of Charlotte, North Carolina entered guilty pleas Thursday (March 6, 2025) on charges of attempted sexual exploitation of children and possession of images of child sexual abuse depicting a prepubescent minor.
Photo: Cado PhotoAA Flight Attendant Pleads Guilty
Investigators revealed that the primary victim, a 14-year-old girl, attempted to use the main cabin lavatory during a September 2, 2023 flight from Charlotte to Boston. Finding it occupied, Thompson directed her to the first-class bathroom. Before allowing her to enter, he told her he needed to wash his hands and warned her about a supposedly broken toilet seat.
Upon entering the bathroom, the teen discovered red stickers on the underside of the raised toilet seat lid labeled “inoperative catering equipment,” “remove from service,” and “seat broken.” Thompson had hidden his iPhone beneath these stickers to record video. The quick-thinking girl photographed the concealed device before leaving the lavatory.
“We are pleased to hear that the American Airlines flight attendant who preyed on at least five young girls as they used the airplane bathroom has pled guilty for his depraved crimes,” said attorney Paul Llewellyn, whose firm Lewis & Llewellyn represents the 14-year-old and another victim in related lawsuits. “We commend the US Attorney’s Office for its work on the criminal case in bringing this felon to justice.”
The investigation uncovered that Thompson had recordings of four additional girls using airplane bathrooms in his possession.
Photo: NBC NewsSerious Crime in the US
Llewellyn confirmed that his firm has settled the lawsuit filed on behalf of the 14-year-old victim with American Airlines. A separate lawsuit representing a 9-year-old girl from Texas is scheduled to proceed to trial in July.
The investigation into Thompson revealed disturbing additional evidence. Prosecutors discovered hundreds of artificially generated images of child sexual abuse stored in Thompson’s iCloud account. Investigators also found recordings of four other young girls using airplane lavatories on earlier flights. The victims ranged in age from 7 to 14 years old.
American Airlines stated that Thompson was “immediately withheld from service” following the discovery of his phone and had not worked for the airline since that time.
The legal consequences for Thompson’s crimes are severe. The charge of attempted sexual exploitation of children carries a prison sentence ranging from 15 to 30 years.
Possessing images of sexual abuse of a prepubescent minor is punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment. Both charges include provisions for at least five years of supervised release, potential fines up to $250,000, and restitution payments.
Thompson’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 17.
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The post Ex American Airlines Flight Attendant Pleads Guilty for Recording Minors appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
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