A Honeymoon Nightmare: Accused of Trafficking His Own Wife On Their Honeymoon

6 min readJan 16, 2025

Is this a tale of racial profiling at its max or is there more to this story than meets the eye? How a Simple Flight Turned Into a Legal Battle with American Airlines.

When a Honeymoon Takes a Wrong Turn: Racial Profiling at 35,000 Feet

Imagine this: You’re boarding a flight, hand in hand with your new spouse, ready to start your honeymoon. You’re buzzing with excitement about the adventures ahead, the memories you’re about to create, and all the happiness that’s on the horizon. But instead of sipping a celebratory Coke (because, let’s be real, this is Zachus Travel, and I don’t drink alcohol), you find yourself being escorted off the plane, falsely accused of trafficking your own wife. That’s not just a nightmare — it’s what happened to Anthony Williams and his wife, Katsiaryna Shasholka, on their 2022 flight from Phoenix to Miami.

What should’ve been the beginning of a romantic getaway turned into a humiliating ordeal when Williams, a Black man, was accused of trafficking his wife, who is white. The accusation wasn’t based on facts or evidence — it stemmed from a fellow passenger’s baseless assumption, which was taken at face value by American Airlines employees. Let’s break down this shocking story and talk about what it means for travelers like you.

A Flight Gone Wrong

Anthony Williams, a former police officer, was no stranger to scrutiny, but what happened on this American Airlines flight went beyond the pale. According to a lawsuit filed in the Southern Florida District Court, a passenger told flight staff they suspected Williams was trafficking his wife, Katsiaryna. Instead of conducting a proper investigation or asking clarifying questions, the airline employees — identified as Michael Wilfong and Angel Rodriguez — immediately escalated the situation.

When the flight landed in Miami, the honeymooners were escorted off the plane. As other passengers disembarked, Williams and Shasholka sat there, confused and humiliated, feeling the weight of a baseless accusation. What followed was even worse: the couple was questioned by Miami-Dade police officers in what the lawsuit describes as a traumatic experience of “false imprisonment” and racial profiling.

It doesn’t end there. The lawsuit also highlights a pattern of racial profiling by American Airlines, citing several other instances where Black passengers were treated unfairly under similarly shocking circumstances.

Racial Profiling in the Travel Industry

Sadly, this is not an isolated case. In September 2023, musician David Ryan Harris, a Black man who toured with John Mayer for two decades, was accused of trafficking his biracial children on an American Airlines flight from Atlanta to Los Angeles. His “crime”? His sons were quiet and unresponsive when interacting with a flight attendant. Like Williams, Harris was greeted at the jetway by police and airline employees, who treated him with suspicion instead of respect.

These stories are a sobering reminder of the challenges many travelers face. Bias, whether explicit or implicit, continues to rear its ugly head in the travel industry. For couples like Anthony and Katsiaryna, or parents like David Ryan Harris, these incidents strip away the joy and excitement of travel, replacing it with fear, humiliation, and frustration.

What Travelers Can Learn from This

It’s infuriating to hear stories like these, but it also highlights the importance of knowing your rights and planning ahead for your trips. At Zachus Travel, I’m all about teaching you how to enjoy Affordable Luxury Travel — but luxury is meaningless if you don’t feel safe or respected while you travel. Here’s how you can navigate travel confidently, no matter what challenges come your way:

Be Proactive with Travel Planning
The more organized your trip is, the fewer surprises you’ll face. I highly recommend using Skyscanner to book your flights. Skyscanner not only helps you find the best deals but also makes it easy to manage your itinerary. You can also pair it with Agoda for incredible discounts on luxury hotels — up to 70% off if you’re lucky! Affordable luxury is possible, my friends — you just have to know where to look.
Protect Yourself with Travel Insurance
If things go wrong (as they sometimes do), having solid travel insurance can make all the difference. That’s why I swear by Nomad Health Insurance by SafetyWing. Whether it’s a medical emergency or an unexpected situation, this insurance has your back, ensuring you’re covered wherever you are in the world.
Earn Points for Premium Perks
If you’re not already using the American Express Gold Card, you’re missing out on one of the best ways to travel smarter. With a 90,000-point intro offer, you can start building miles and points to upgrade your future travel experiences. Once you’ve got the Gold card, the next step is upgrading to the American Express Platinum Card for even more perks — but remember to get the Gold first so you can double-dip on those welcome bonuses. These cards are game-changers for anyone who wants to experience luxury without paying luxury prices.
Use My Ultimate Travel Guides
Let’s be honest — planning a trip can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to juggle flights, hotels, tours, and everything in between. That’s why I created my Ultimate Travel Guides and Cheat Sheets. These guides take all the guesswork out of travel planning, so you can focus on what matters most: making memories. I’ll handle the logistics, so you don’t have to.

Fighting for Accountability

Anthony Williams and his wife are seeking over $75,000 in damages, not just for the trauma they experienced but to hold American Airlines accountable for their actions. And honestly, who can blame them? Travel is meant to be a time of joy, discovery, and connection — not a time to be treated with suspicion or hostility simply because of the color of your skin.

As travelers, we have the power to demand better from airlines and travel companies. Stories like these may feel disheartening, but they also shine a light on areas where change is desperately needed. It’s a reminder to speak up when you see something wrong, whether it’s unfair treatment, unsafe practices, or poor customer service.

Your Next Adventure Awaits

While it’s important to stay informed about these issues, I want you to know that there’s still so much beauty and excitement waiting for you out in the world. Don’t let these stories deter you from exploring, learning, and creating memories. Instead, let them motivate you to plan smarter, travel safer, and experience the world with confidence.

If you’re ready to start your next adventure, here’s how you can do it the Zachus Travel way:

Book your flights with Skyscanner for the best deals.
Pair it with Agoda to find amazing discounts on luxury hotels.
Grab the American Express Gold Card to start building points for your dream trips.
And don’t forget to download my Ultimate Travel Guides for a stress-free experience!

Until next time, here’s to smooth skies, good company, and a journey full of happy memories. I’m your Travel Hack Guide to affordable luxury tips. Catch you later. Peace.

ZachusTravel.com & YouTube.com/zachustravel