Texas Man Admits to Stowaway Charge Onboard a Delta Airlines Flight

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A Texas man admitted to a felony, after he boarded and hid in a lavatory of a Delta Airlines flight to catch a free flight to Austin, Texas, from Salt Lake City International Airport.

Wicliff Yves Fleurizard, 26, of Leander, Texas, was indicted in April 2024. Prior press release here: Alleged Airline Stowaway Passenger Facing Federal Charges

According to court documents and admissions made at the change of plea hearing, in March of 2024, Fleurizard intentionally boarded Delta Airlines flight #1683 and hid in the lavatory. Prior to boarding, Fleurizard was captured on surveillance footage in the boarding area taking photos of multiple passenger’s phones and/or boarding passes while they were not looking. Surveillance footage also showed Fleurizard used his phone as a boarding pass when he boarded the plane. However, Fleurizard did not purchase a ticket, and was not authorized to board. Fleurizard further admitted his actions caused the flight, which had pushed away from the gate, to return to the gate where he was met by law enforcement and taken into custody.  

Fleurizard is scheduled to be sentenced May 20, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. before a U.S. District Court Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.

Acting United States Attorney Felice Viti of the District of Utah made the announcement.

The case is being investigated by an FBI Task Force Officer with the Salt Lake City Police Department.

Assistant United States Attorneys Bryan N. Reeves and Michael Kennedy of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah are prosecuting the case.