A United Airlines employee has been accused of multiple counts of producing child pornography. Court documents have described the accused as an employee of the Star Alliance carrier at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), as reported by The Mercury News.

The charges

The employee is accused of producing child pornography, distributing child pornography, and receiving child pornography. Authorities were investigating an unrelated case of child exploitation when the employee's name came up, leading to a search of their home and work locker.

Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock

Prosecutors claim that during the search, more than 800 photos and 60 videos depicting child pornography were discovered. Authorities say they also have evidence that the accused sexually abused at least four boys and propositioned others.

The employee remains in custody at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, CA, one of the largest prisons in the country. Their next court appearance is planned for the end of August, and if convicted, they face between 15 and 30 years in prison. Simple Flying has reached out to United Airlines for comment.

This is not the first time United Airlines employees at San Francisco International Airport have made the headlines. In June, two of the carrier's ramp cargo agents members were accused of stealing marijuana from checked luggage at the airport.

United Airlines in San Francisco

San Francisco International Airport is one of United Airlines' largest hubs, acting as the carrier's primary gateway for transpacific flights. It is also the largest carrier at the airport, with a market share of over 45% in 2022, followed by Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines, with market shares of 13% and 6%, respectively.

Photo: Vytautas Kielaitis | Shutterstock

United Airlines recently announced that it would be returning to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) in October with daily flights from San Francisco and upping the frequency of its services to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) from four-weekly to daily.

The changes to United Airlines' China services will come into effect on October 29th, the same day the airline will launch flights to Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL). Further transpacific expansion will occur in December when United Airlines will commence direct services from San Francisco to Christchurch Airport (CHC) in New Zealand.

The carrier's Boeing 777s will operate the new services to China and the Philippines, while the airline will deploy its Boeing 787s on flights to Christchurch. Once launched, United Airlines will be the only airline to operate all four of the above routes.

Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock

In 2022, San Francisco International Airport saw 42.1 million passengers, of which 9.9 million were traveling on international services. Flights to Asia accounted for 38.4% of international departures at the airport, followed by Europe, with 23.6%.

What do you think of the allegations against a United Airlines employee at San Francisco International Airport? Share your thoughts by commenting below.

Sources: The Mercury News, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco International Airport