Passenger notices man texting about гaрing children; immediately takes incriminating photos to put him behind bars
Two children were saved from a man and a woman who were se-ually abusing them after a passenger on an airplane noticed strange text messages and told authorities.
Fifty-six-year-old Michael was arrested at the airport.
While sitting on the Southwest Airlines flight, a passenger behind Michael was able to see his text messages, as his large smartphone was set to the largest font.
“It was in large font, and she saw certain words and started contemplating that there was something bigger there,” reported a se- crimes detective on the case.
The messages were allegedly sent to 50-year-old Gail, who seemingly had access to a 5-year-old and a 7-year-old through babysitting. Investigators say Michael was getting to the victims, who are believed to have been se-ually abused, through Gail.
She was later arrested at her home.
After seeing Michael’s disturbing text conversation about the se-ual exploitation of these children, the passenger (whom police did not identify), was able to take photos of the man’s text messages from her seat behind.
“The conversations were very particular in regards to se- acts that were to be performed on… children,” police Sgt. Brian said. “Some of the se- acts talked about not only molesting children but performing beastiality.”
The passenger then alerted the flight crew, and flight attendants notified authorities at the destination airport, where Michael was arrested.
He is accused of attempted child molestation and solicitation of a se- crime, while Gail is being held on suspicion of child ra-e and se-ual exploitation of children.
The two are currently in jail, and the anonymous witness who busted them is being hailed a hero.
“It’s kind of mind-blowing,” said detective Nick. “She gets on a plane, a normal citizen minding her own business. A few hours later, she’s intervening in what may be the most traumatic experience a child can have. This was life-altering for them.”