Jim Thornton's 57-Minute Chatroom Mystery: Passenger Spots Disturbing Messages Before Suspension

Wheel of Fortune announcer Jim Thornton was reportedly in a controversial online chatroom for at least 57 minutes during an American Airlines flight, according to timestamps on photographs taken by a fellow passenger, months before Sony Pictures Television suspended him amid an investigation into unspecified allegations.

The passenger raised concerns after seeing messages on Thornton's laptop during the May flight from Charlotte to Los Angeles, according to TMZ. Thornton's lawyer insists he did nothing illegal and has never viewed or downloaded child sexual abuse material. He was not arrested or charged with a crime.

Passenger Raises Alarm Over Jim Thornton's Laptop

The passenger photographed Thornton's screen after becoming concerned about conversations visible on his laptop. She became concerned that the chatroom appeared to involve discussions about children.

Among the exchanges she reportedly saw was a message referring to 'cute boys' and a 'hot little girl'. Another contained a play on the word 'buffet' while discussing a restaurant where children could be seen.

A separate conversation referenced the abbreviation 'CP', which the passenger interpreted as referring to child pornography.

The passenger alerted a flight attendant and shared the photographs with the crew. The captain subsequently notified authorities, who met the aircraft when it arrived at Los Angeles International Airport.

Jim Thornton Questioned After American Airlines Flight

Law enforcement questioned Thornton at LAX before allowing him to leave.

His attorney, Allison Hart, said officers spoke to Thornton for five minutes or less before allowing him to leave, and maintained that law enforcement determined no wrongdoing had occurred. Thornton was neither arrested nor charged in connection with the incident.

The encounter later received renewed attention after Sony Pictures Television suspended Thornton from Wheel of Fortune and launched an investigation into the allegations.

Why Was Jim Thornton in the Chatroom for 57 Minutes?

Thornton's lawyer explained how he came to access lifeline.chat, a website described as providing support to people experiencing paedophilic thoughts.

Hart said Thornton became involved in suicide-prevention advocacy after losing a close family member to suicide two years ago. As part of that work, she said he had spent time visiting chatrooms to offer support to people experiencing suicidal thoughts.

According to Hart, an acquaintance connected to the suicide-prevention community sent Thornton a link to lifeline.chat.

Thornton maintains that he left after realising the nature of the website. However, timestamps visible in photographs taken by the passenger reportedly appeared to indicate he was in the chatroom for at least 57 minutes.

The timeline alone does not establish what Thornton was doing throughout that period or whether he engaged with any of the messages.

Thornton's Lawyer Denies Any Illegal Activity

Hart strongly denied that Thornton engaged in illegal conduct.

She said lifeline.chat itself was not unlawful and maintained that it contained no unlawful child pornography or other illegal content.

Hart also said Thornton had never viewed, downloaded or consumed child pornography, either during the flight or at any other time.

'In short, my client did nothing wrong,' she said.

Thornton's lawyer also stressed that he was never arrested or charged with a crime following the incident.

Wheel of Fortune Suspends Long-Time Announcer

Sony Pictures Television suspended Thornton after becoming aware of the allegations and began investigating the matter.

His announcing duties were subsequently recast while the investigation continued, placing renewed attention on the May flight and the circumstances surrounding his presence in the chatroom.

Thornton has served as Wheel of Fortune's official announcer since 2011, succeeding longtime announcer Charlie O'Donnell.