AZ man spent 17 days in jail for crime he didn't commit. He blames American Airlines

[ck4829]

A man’s life was changed after he spent 17 days in a New Mexico jail because American Airlines wrongfully accused and identified him to police as a shoplifter at the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, according to a lawsuit filed Monday.

Michael Lowe boarded a flight at DFW Airport in May 2020. More than a year later, he said, he was on vacation in New Mexico when he was arrested on warrants he had never heard of for a crime he did not commit.

For more than two weeks, Lowe was held in Quay County Jail at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in “grossly unsanitary conditions,” according to the lawsuit. Lowe said he didn’t even find out what he was charged with until after his release.

“I’ve never heard of this fact pattern in my life or my career,” said Lowe’s attorney, Scott Palmer. “If it can happen to him, it can happen to anyone.”

https://www.yahoo.com/news/man-sues-american-airlines-says-140000813.html

[Beakybird]

1. Major miscarriage of justice! How horrible!

[Karadeniz]

2. They can't hide his charges from him... Where was a lawyer...

[exboyfil]

3. Yes he should be suing the county jail as well

It seems that they are getting really sloppy with warrants. Also the LEO had no business running his name for warrants if he wasn't an involved party in a crime. Never give your ID to LEOs without probably cause.

[gldstwmn]

7. In reading the full article it looks like he was in some rinky dink hellhole in New Mexico.

No Covid precautions were present either. Unbelieveable.

[regnaD kciN]

9. It sounds like he couldn't afford one...

...and the local personifications of ACAB didn't bother informing him about his right to a public defender.

[Lars39]

10. You obviously didn't read the article.

[NutmegYankee]

12. PTSD, lost wages, etc.

It’s more than just 17 days.

[LakeArenal]

5. Wow... yes thrown in jail and not told why?

Yeah why would that change your life?

Sarcasm….

[gldstwmn]

6. Were they using facial recognition?

Instead, American Airlines “departed from its established procedures,” according to the lawsuit, and sent police a single passenger’s information — Lowe’s.
Whatever happened here, he deserves a large settlement from American Airlines.

[Liberal In Texas]

8. I hope he sues the crap out of American Airlines. I certainly wouldn't ever fly with them again.

American owes him at least the value of one of their planes.

[regnaD kciN]

11. Yes, AA shares some of the blame for this...

...but I would think the main cause of his ire should be the police of the jurisdiction where he was picked up.

Also, while I can sympathize with a boycott of AA, what's your alternative? United, where they beat up a passenger for refusing to give up his seat? Delta, known for union-busting activities? I think most major carriers have one or more incidents which would justify people never flying with them again.

[Liberal In Texas]

14. Actually, upon reflection...If I were him or his lawyer I would be asking for free flights

anywhere in the world American flies - in first class with a membership in the Admiral's Club. There would be a cash settlement and the 1st class pass would be FOR LIFE.

I actually think a jury would go for it after hearing his story.

[malaise]

15. THIS

I wonder what happened to his dogs. I would sue the shit out of them.
This is horrible

[Tumbulu]

16. Oh my goodness- what a horror!!!!!!

I hope that he is given lots of money.

But what a nightmare to experience, and then know that all of this horrid stuff is going on in county jails. All the time, I suppose. And how would anyone know.

And what happened to his dogs? It does not say.