This is so beyond outrageous, the victim really needs to file charges of unlawful detainment and kidnapping and look at legal action against AA.
Personally I would have physically pushed my way past the crew member in self defense, especially if it was my last flight, there is absolutely no excuse for this.
https://www.johnnyjet.com/american-airlines-flight-attendant-physically-detains-aviation-photographer-until-he-showed-images/Jeremy writes: “I was off the plane and the FA had the captain prevent me from going further down the jetbridge and then brought me *back* onto the plane and took the phone out of my hands.”
“I had stepped into the jetbridge and the FA had what I think was the pilot or FO block me from going further. Then they brought me back on the plane and the FA demanded I open my phone and show them the last several photos and then took the phone out of my hands to inspect them.”