Texas man faces federal charges after illegally boarding plane at Salt Lake City International Airport

The Salt Lake City International Airport. Photo: TownLift

The plane was already beginning to taxi the runway when flight attendants discovered that the man did not have a valid ticket

SALT LAKE CITY — A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City returned an indictment last week charging a Texas man for national security crimes after he allegedly took photos of other airline passenger’s tickets attempted to take a flight to his home state while hiding in an aircraft bathroom.

According to court documents, 26-year-old Wicliff Yves Fleurizard, from Leander, Texas, boarded a Delta Airlines flight at Salt Lake City International Airport bound for Austin, Texas, on March 17.

Once on board, Fleurizard was helped by a flight attendant to the bathroom at the front of the plane after the flight attendant witnessed him open the emergency equipment storage door.

Fleurizard stayed in the bathroom as the other passengers boarded. After boarding was complete and before the aircraft doors were secured, Fleurizard exited the front bathroom and made his way to the back of the plane where he entered another bathrrom.

After Fleurizard left the back bathroom, a flight attendant noticed that no seats were available and approached Fleurizard. At this time the aircraft doors were secured, and the aircraft had started to taxi to the runway. Fleurizard identified a seat as his to the flight attendant, but the flight attendant verified that the passenger in that seat had actually purchased the seat.

Fleurizard’s name was not found on the flight attendants’ Guest Service Tool, and they were unable to locate a valid ticket for him.

The plane eventually returned to the gate, and Fleurizard was met by law enforcement after leaving the plane.

According to the indictment, Fleurizard was seen on surveillance camera taking pictures of other passengers’ phones and boarding passes while they were not looking. He was then seen using his phone to board the plane.

Fleurizard is charged with being a stowaway on an aircraft, and access device fraud. His initial court appearance on the indictment will take place at a later date before a U.S. Magistrate Judge.