BOSTON – Former American Airlines flight attendant Estes Carter Thompson III has been sentenced to 18.5 years in federal prison for surreptitiously recording minors in aircraft lavatories and possession of child pornography depicting prepubescent minors.
Thompson, 38, from Charlotte, N.C., pleaded guilty to one count of attempted sexual exploitation of children and one count of possession of child pornography on March 2, 2025. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley called Thompson’s actions a betrayal of the trust placed in him as a flight attendant.
According to court documents, Thompson directed female minors into an aircraft lavatory he had set up for recording purposes and later watched the videos for his own sexual gratification. His crimes shattered five children’s sense of safety and trust. The FBI’s Boston Division’s Special Agent in Charge Ted E. Docks emphasized the bravery of a 14-year-old girl who thwarted Thompson’s plan and helped bring him to justice.
The incident began on September 2, 2023, when Thompson attempted to record a 14-year-old female passenger while she used the lavatory on a flight from Charlotte, N.C. to Boston, Mass. After the minor reported the incident, Thompson wiped all content from his iPhone and deleted videos of four other minors he had recorded on flights between January and August 2023.
Upon arrival at Logan Airport in Boston, officials discovered 11 “INOPERATIVE EQUIPMENT” stickers similar to those used by Thompson. The investigation revealed Thompson had recorded females aged six to 14 years old during flights between Charlotte and various destinations. Massachusetts State Police Colonel Geoffrey Noble praised the young victim for speaking up and thanked the FBI and other federal partners for their efforts in bringing Thompson to justice.
Thompson’s sentence, handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Julia E. Kobick, includes five years of supervised release following his prison term. The sentencing aims to provide some relief to the victims and their families as they grapple with the trauma caused by Thompson’s actions.
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Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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