Just when you thought you’ve heard it all, a Florida man has taken the art of impersonation to new heights, literally. Tiron Alexander, a 35-year-old resident of the Sunshine State, has been convicted of posing as a flight attendant and booking over 120 free flights. Yes! You got that right. 120 free flights by pulling off a ruse that would put even the most seasoned con artists to shame.
The United States Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of Florida broke the news on Tuesday, June 10, shedding light on Alexander’s daring scheme that unfolded from 2018 to 2024.
According to the press release, Alexander masqueraded as a flight attendant working for various airlines to book free flights solely available to operational crew members. He racked up a total of 34 flights on one carrier alone, claiming to work for, not one, not two, but a whopping seven different airlines.
And if that didn’t raise your eyebrows, here’s a kicker—Alexander allegedly used 30 disparate badge numbers with assorted hire dates to substantiate his claims. But the audacious act didn’t stop at one carrier. Alexander pulled the same hustle on three other carrier websites, effectively booking more than 120 flights on his name without spending a dime.
In a dramatic turn of events on June 5, a jury convicted Alexander of wire fraud as well as entering a secure area of an airport by false pretenses. Slated to be sentenced on April 25, Alexander could potentially face a maximum of 20 years for wire fraud, 10 years for illegal access to secure airport areas, and a hefty $250,000 fine, as reported by NBC News.
Here’s an enthralling fact: Alexander did hold an employment at an airline based in Dallas since 2015. However, he was neither a pilot nor a flight attendant.
As per the TSA, “While Alexander was able to board flights by fraudulently obtaining a boarding pass, he underwent all applicable TSA security procedures, including ID verification and physical screening, and did not pose a threat to other airline passengers. TSA remains dedicated to the security of the flying public and will continue to support the prosecution of those who break air travel laws.”
In another startling news coming out of Florida, Travis Ray Thompson has been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend’s two-year-old daughter by severing her spine, as reported by The Shade Room earlier this month.
In conclusion, as mind-boggling as Alexander’s hundreds of free flights may sound, unfortunately, it can’t even top the grim news of a gruesome murder committed by another Florida man. Be it peculiar or downright distressing, the Sunshine State sure does know how to keep us on our toes. Stay tuned and stay safe!
