Virginia Father Profiled and Wrongly Accused of Human Trafficking by Southwest Airlines
A Virginia father’s flight home turned into a nightmare when airline staff mistakenly flagged him as a human trafficker, leading to a public confrontation with police. 🌐 #News #NorfolkVA #Virginia #Travel
NORFOLK, VA – A Virginia father’s return home took an unsettling turn when he found himself accused of human trafficking while flying with his teenage daughter and her friend. John Kerrigan, who had just finished a family trip to Las Vegas, was shocked when Southwest Airlines crew members flagged him as a potential trafficker during a layover in Denver.
Accusation in the Sky: How a Family Vacation Ended in Airport Interrogation
On October 21, Kerrigan was on his connecting flight to Virginia Beach, accompanied by his 15-year-old daughter and her 16-year-old friend. The flight was meant to be a smooth transition back to normal life. But as Kerrigan briefly left his seat to use the restroom, a flight attendant approached the two teens, asking about their relationship with him.
The interaction seemed innocent enough—until Kerrigan learned that the airline crew had taken it further by contacting officials at Norfolk International Airport, describing him as a suspected trafficker.
The Airline Protocols Behind the Misunderstanding
Southwest Airlines, like many airlines, adheres to anti-trafficking guidelines issued by the Department of Homeland Security. Under the Blue Light Initiative, airline staff are trained to watch for signs of trafficking, which include indicators such as a “non-genuine” relationship between adults and minors. Southwest’s website states that employees are trained on recognizing these signs and are provided with protocols to report any concerns to law enforcement.
When the plane landed in Virginia, Kerrigan’s family was met at the gate by three police officers. According to Kerrigan, they pulled him aside, requesting him to follow them for questioning. The incident, in plain view of other passengers, was both embarrassing and frustrating for him. Kerrigan expressed his offense at the situation, emphasizing that he felt targeted without cause.
For around 20 minutes, Kerrigan was questioned by authorities before finally being cleared and released. Although he was not charged, the experience left him unsettled.
When Safety Measures Go Too Far
This incident brings to mind a similar story involving musician David Ryan Harris, who encountered accusations of trafficking his own biracial children during a September 2023 flight with American Airlines. Harris later posted a video describing the incident, explaining that a flight attendant had been concerned over his children’s unresponsiveness to her questions.
The family’s arrival at Los Angeles International Airport was greeted by police, leading to a public and uncomfortable questioning. Afterward, Harris received an apology from the airline, which admitted that their protocols had not been followed as intended.
The heightened awareness around human trafficking has prompted airlines to enforce strict protocols to prevent abuse, and these measures are paying off. According to the Department of Justice’s Human Trafficking report published in October 2024, over 1,900 people were referred to U.S. attorneys for trafficking offenses in 2022, with 1,656 cases prosecuted and over 1,100 convictions. Compared to 2012, these numbers show a dramatic rise in trafficking-related enforcement actions.
In Kerrigan’s case, however, the experience highlights how innocent families can sometimes become collateral in these efforts. While vigilance remains essential, the fine line between security and overreach is clear, leaving families like Kerrigan’s wary of future travels.
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