Black Passenger Says Airline Accused Him of Trafficking a White Woman, His Wife

Nationwide — Anthony Williams, a retired police officer who is Black, claims he was wrongly accused of human trafficking his own wife, who is white, while on their honeymoon flight. He has since filed a lawsuit against American Airlines for racial discrimination and emotional distress.

Williams and his wife, Katsiaryna Shasholka, were on an American Airlines flight from Phoenix to Miami in September 2022 when a fellow passenger accused Williams of trafficking. This accusation led to their detention by airline staff upon landing, causing them significant embarrassment as other passengers watched.

The couple alleges that due to the incident, they experienced “mental pain and suffering, sleeplessness, paranoia, panic attacks, fear, anxiety, embarrassment, humiliation,” as reported by People.

The lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of Florida, targets American Airlines, the accusing passenger, and two airline employees, claiming racial profiling. American Airlines responded by stating they aim to review the claims to ensure a positive travel experience for all.

This incident echoes a similar 2023 case where musician David Ryan Harris faced accusations of trafficking his own biracial children. American Airlines apologized for that, though the company’s response to Williams’ lawsuit remains under review.