A Black man is suing American Airlines for falsely accusing him of sex trafficking his white wife.
Retired police officer Anthony Williams, 63, and his wife, Katsiaryna Shasholka, 34, were honeymoon-bound in September 2022 when a fellow passenger’s unfounded suspicion led to a humiliating ordeal. The couple, joyfully snapping selfies on their Miami-bound flight, were accused by a passenger of trafficking, prompting the flight crew to call the police without further inquiry.
Upon landing, the bewildered couple was detained, questioned, and forced to endure public embarrassment as other passengers walked past them, according to his federal complaint.
“There was no reason to believe… Shasholka was in any danger.” Williams echoed this, telling The Independent, “There was nothing in our interactions… that would be indicative of somebody who was being held against their will.”
The lawsuit, filed by civil rights attorney Jasmine Rand, seeks $75,000 in damages for the trauma inflicted, including mental anguish, insomnia, and anxiety.
“He spent his life fighting crime, and now to be accused of trafficking his own wife is unfathomable,” Rand stated.
American Airlines, which has faced similar allegations in the past, stated it is reviewing the claims. The lawsuit highlights broader concerns about racial profiling, with attorney Ben Taylor emphasizing, “Just because they are a different race doesn’t mean they should be stereotyped.”
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The company recently settled a lawsuit with three Black passengers who were removed from a flight for “foul body odor.”
