A 28-year-old man from Deering, Alaska, was found guilty in U.S. District Court in Seattle of abusive sexual contact on an airline flight. Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller announced the conviction of Trayton C. Ballot, who was arrested on January 15, 2025, upon arrival at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
Following a two-day trial and about an hour of jury deliberation, Ballot was convicted of repeatedly rubbing the inner thigh of a 17-year-old passenger seated next to him for his sexual gratification. Ballot could face up to two years in prison when sentenced by U.S. District Judge John H. Chun on December 15, 2025.
Court records indicate that the victim 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. According to documents, Ballot appeared asleep before moving his hand onto the victim’s inner thigh and began rubbing it. The victim removed his hand but he repeated this action twice more; each time she pushed his hand away.
After a third incident, the victim used her tray table and a stuffed animal as barriers but Ballot attempted again to touch her under the armrest. The victim pressed down on the stuffed animal to prevent further contact and Ballot withdrew his hand.
The victim informed her mother—who sat behind her—by typing a message into her phone describing what had happened and showing it to her mother. At her mother’s direction, she alerted flight attendants who then moved her to another seat.
Ballot was taken into custody upon landing in Seattle.
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.
