Alaska Man Receives Prison Sentence for In-Flight Sexual Assault of Teenager
Trayton Ballot, a 29-year-old man from Alaska, has been sentenced to serve prison time after being convicted of sexually assaulting a teenager who was seated next to him on an Alaska Airlines flight. The incident occurred on January 15 during an overnight trip from Anchorage to Seattle, where Ballot repeatedly rubbed the thigh of the 17-year-old girl.
Details of the Assault and Sentencing
According to court records obtained by KIRO7, Ballot was sentenced to one and a half years in prison. During the sentencing, the teenage victim described feeling trapped in a small space where she could not defend herself. She stated, "It was predatory, attacking me while I was asleep." The girl was flying with her mother and a friend but was seated away from them in a window seat next to Ballot towards the back of the aircraft.
The Department of Justice reported that Ballot appeared to be asleep before moving his hand onto the victim's inner thigh and rubbing it. After the victim removed his hand, he replaced it twice more. In response, the teenager lowered her tray table and wedged a stuffed animal under it to protect her lap. Despite these barriers, Ballot moved his hand under the armrest and attempted to place it over her thigh again, prompting the victim to press down on the stuffed animal to stop the assault.
Response and Arrest
The girl alerted her mother, who was sitting in the row behind her, by typing a message on her phone that Ballot had touched her. Flight attendants were notified and moved the victim to another seat. Ballot was arrested immediately upon the flight's landing in Seattle and was later convicted following a two-day trial, with the jury deliberating for just one hour.
Prosecutors' Statements on Airline Vulnerabilities
During the sentencing, prosecutors highlighted the prevalence of sexual assaults on airplanes, describing planes as uniquely vulnerable environments. They noted that passengers are often seated in close proximity to strangers with limited room and few options for removing themselves from unwanted situations. Additionally, the dimmed cabin lights and limited visibility outside of immediate neighbors reduce the likelihood of witnesses, making such assaults particularly distressing.
Following his prison term, Ballot must complete 10 years of supervised release. This case underscores the ongoing risks associated with modern airline travel and the importance of vigilance and prompt action in addressing in-flight incidents.
