Texas man allegedly photographed others’ boarding passes to get on Salt Lake flight
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — A Texas man is the subject of a federal investigation after he allegedly boarded a Delta Air Lines flight at the Salt Lake International Airport without a proper ticket on Sunday, March 17.
According to a criminal complaint filed by the FBI, Wicliff Fleurizard, 26, of George, Texas was removed from Delta Flight 1683, which was bound for Austin.
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Fleurizard, who said he was in Park City for a snowboarding trip, told authorities he needed to get home to see family who had flown in from Florida. The complaint states that Fleurizard was given a “buddy pass” from a friend to board a flight with Southwest Airlines, which he used to get through security.
The complaint says the Southwest Airlines flight was full so Fleurizard reportedly left the boarding area and went to a Delta gate instead.
Federal investigators said security footage showed Fleurizard using his phone to take pictures of boarding passes belonging to other passengers, then using his phone to board the plane. Fleurizard allegedly spent a significant amount of time in the plane’s restrooms while the plane began to taxi toward the runway.
When crews found Fleurizard did not have a legitimate boarding pass for the Delta flight, the plane returned to the gate and he was contacted by law enforcement, the complaint says.
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Fleurizard allegedly admitted to authorities that he “had made a mistake” and was “only trying to get home.” He faces one federal charge for stowing away on an aircraft.
A spokesperson for Salt Lake International Airport told ABC4 they were unaware of the incident and deferred to Delta Air Lines for comment.
“Delta is cooperating with law enforcement and relevant agencies regarding an investigation into a non-ticketed individual being escorted off DL1863 on March 17 aircraft in Salt Lake City prior to a scheduled departure,” a Delta spokesperson told ABC4.
Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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