Passenger sues airline after being accused of trafficking wife

• Published On: 15 January 2025 at 19:04

A Black passenger is suing American Airlines for racial profiling and false accusations of trafficking his wife on a 2022 flight from Phoenix to Miami.

According to the lawsuit filed in the Southern District of Florida, a fellow passenger mistakenly believed Anthony Williams was trafficking his wife, Katsiaryna Shasholka, and informed American Airlines employees Michael Wilfong and Angel Rodriguez.

According to Business Insider, the lawsuit alleges that instead of questioning or investigating Williams, the employees falsely informed law enforcement that Williams was trafficking his own wife.

According to the lawsuit, after landing at Miami International Airport, American Airlines staff "falsely imprisoned" Williams and Shasholka by escorting them off the plane.

The lawsuit claims that Williams and Shasholka were left "confused and embarrassed" as other passengers disembarked and walked past them.

They were then interrogated by Miami-Dade Police officers, who detained them, subjected them to false imprisonment, and humiliated them during the process.

The lawsuit alleges that the biracial couple was "racially profiled and discriminated against based on their race by employees and/or agents of American Airlines."

Williams and Shasholka are seeking damages in excess of $75,000, excluding interest and costs.

The complaint also includes three additional incidents from 2023 to 2024 in which Black passengers claim to have been mistreated by American Airlines.

American Airlines declined to comment when contacted.