Black Retired Police Officer Claims He Was Falsely Accused of Trafficking White Wife While Flying to Honeymoon: Complaint

Mar. 15, 2025

Katsiaryna Shasholka, left, and Anthony Williams.Photo:US District Court for the Southern District of Florida

US District Court for the Southern District of Florida

A Black retired police officer claims in a newly filed lawsuit that he was falsely accused of trafficking his wife, who is White, on an American Airlines flight while on their way to celebrate their honeymoon.

The retired cop, Anthony Williams, and his wife, Katsiaryna Shasholka, were on a flight from Phoenix to Miami in September 2022 when they claim that a passenger accused Williams of human trafficking and reported him to airline employees, according to their complaint, which was filed in federal court in the Southern District of Florida.

The airline’s actions allegedly “caused plaintiffs to experience mental pain and suffering, sleeplessness, paranoia, panic attacks, fear, anxiety, embarrassment, humiliation,” the complaint states.

The complaint names American Airlines, as well as the passenger who reported the plaintiffs and two airline employees as defendants and accuses them of racial discrimination.

“American strives to provide a positive experience to everyone who travels with us,” the airline says in a statement to PEOPLE. “We are reviewing the allegations of the complaint.”

Harris, who has played guitar in John Mayer’s band for years and has collaborated with Dave Matthews, said that he believed a flight attendant called ahead and reported that the musician’s children possibly weren’t actually his because they didn’t respond during an interaction with her.

“At American, the safety and security of our customers and team members are our top priorities. We strive to create a positive, welcoming environment for everyone who travels with us and apologize for any misunderstanding that may have occurred,” the airlinetold PEOPLEfollowing the 2023 incident. “A member of our team has reached out to the customer to learn more about their experience and address their concerns.”

Harris later posted that the airline reached out to let him know that the flight attendant offered a “heartfelt apology.”

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source: people.com