Tessa M. Gorman, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington
A 27-year-old man from Deering, Alaska, Trayton C. Ballot, was arraigned today following his indictment for abusive sexual contact on an aircraft. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Ballot was arrested on January 15, 2025, upon the arrival of the Alaska Airlines flight at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. He pleaded not guilty this morning, and a trial is scheduled before U.S. District Judge John H. Chun on April 7, 2025.
According to case records, the incident involved a 17-year-old victim who was traveling with her mother and a friend from Anchorage to Seattle. Ballot was seated in the middle seat near the back of the plane while the victim occupied the window seat. It is alleged that Ballot initially appeared asleep but then moved his hand onto the victim’s inner thigh multiple times despite her efforts to remove it each time.
The victim attempted to protect herself by lowering her tray table and using a pillow as a barrier; however, Ballot allegedly continued his attempts until she pressed down on the pillow to stop him. She informed her mother via text message about what had happened, leading her mother to instruct her to notify flight attendants who then relocated her to another seat.
Upon landing in Seattle, Ballot was taken into custody and held at the Federal Detention Center at SeaTac before being released under several conditions including notifying any airline of these charges prior to travel.
Ballot waived his presence at arraignment where his attorney entered a plea of "Not Guilty." The charge of abusive sexual contact carries a potential penalty of up to two years in prison.
It is important to note that these charges are allegations and that every person is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.
The FBI is conducting an investigation into this case which is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn Forstein.
