A 28-year-old man from Deering, Alaska, was found guilty of abusive sexual contact in U.S. District Court in Seattle. Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller announced that Trayton C. Ballot was convicted on Wednesday after a two-day trial and about an hour of jury deliberation.
According to court documents, the incident took place during an Alaska Airlines flight from Anchorage to Seattle on January 15, 2025. Ballot was seated in the middle seat near the back of the plane next to a 17-year-old girl who was traveling with her mother and a friend. During the flight, Ballot repeatedly rubbed the inner thigh of the minor for his own sexual gratification.
The victim removed Ballot’s hand each time he touched her. After a third attempt by Ballot, she placed a stuffed animal under her tray table as a barrier but reported that Ballot tried again by moving his hand under the armrest toward her thigh. The victim pressed down on the stuffed animal to stop him.
She then typed a message on her phone stating what had happened and showed it to her mother sitting behind her. Following her mother's advice, she informed flight attendants who moved her to another seat.
Ballot was arrested upon arrival at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
The FBI led the investigation with support from Port of Seattle Police. Assistant United States Attorneys Carolyn Forstein and Cindy Chang are prosecuting the case.
Ballot faces up to two years in prison when sentenced by U.S. District Judge John H. Chun on December 15, 2025.
