Flight attendant jailed for vile bathroom recordings on flights.
A former flight attendant for American Airlines has been sentenced to over 18 years in federal prison after admitting to secretly filming underage girls in aircraft lavatories during multiple flights in 2023. Estes Carter Thompson III, from Charlotte, North Carolina, was found guilty of directing young girls to specific toilets that he had rigged with hidden recording devices.
According to the U.S. attorney’s office in Massachusetts, between January and September 2023, Thompson used his role as a crew member to exploit his access and position of trust. He installed his mobile phone in restrooms on board flights, creating what prosecutors described as “a secret recording studio.” The devices were positioned to capture images of the girls in private moments.
Leah B. Foley, the U.S. attorney for the District of Massachusetts, stated that Thompson had inflicted serious emotional harm on the victims. She highlighted the lasting damage caused, saying that the children were left with anxiety, mistrust, and fear rather than the innocence and trust they should have been able to maintain.
Prosecutors initially recommended a 20-year prison term along with five years of supervised release. Thompson’s defence lawyer, Scott Lauer, argued for a lighter sentence of 15 years, citing his client’s history of mental health problems, substance abuse, and no prior convictions. Lauer chose not to comment after sentencing.
Thompson was arrested in January 2024 and pleaded guilty in March 2025 to charges including attempted sexual exploitation of children and possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor.
One of the key incidents took place on a flight from Charlotte to Boston in September 2023. A 14-year-old girl was directed by Thompson to use the first-class bathroom after being told the seat was broken. Once inside, she noticed unusual red stickers on the underside of the toilet lid reading “INOPERATIVE CATERING EQUIPMENT” and “SEAT BROKEN.” After using the lavatory, she discovered a phone with its torch still on, hidden beneath the stickers.
The girl took a photograph of the device and informed her parents. Her father confronted Thompson, who subsequently entered another lavatory and reset the device to factory settings in an apparent attempt to destroy evidence.
Investigators later accessed Thompson’s iCloud account, uncovering evidence of four more incidents involving minors in similar situations. In addition, they discovered over 50 images of another unaccompanied minor, including inappropriate photos and a large collection of AI-generated child sexual abuse material.
Authorities also found multiple “INOPERATIVE CATERING EQUIPMENT” stickers and official American Airlines documents relating to unaccompanied minors in Thompson’s luggage, reinforcing suspicions that his actions were premeditated.
Judge Julia E. Kobick, who delivered the sentence, called Thompson’s actions “appalling” and said that his victims’ innocence had been irreversibly stolen. She ordered that Thompson serve his sentence at a facility in Butner, North Carolina, and undergo treatment for substance abuse and sexual offending during incarceration. Following his release, he will be subject to five years of supervised oversight.
In court, Thompson issued an apology, admitting that his behaviour was “selfish, perverse and wrong.” American Airlines confirmed that he was immediately dismissed from service after the incident came to light.
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