A 35-year-old Florida man has been convicted of wire fraud and unlawfully entering secure airport areas after posing as a flight attendant to fraudulently book more than 120 free airline flights, the US department of justice announced Tuesday.According to CBS news, Tiron Alexander, who was found guilty by a federal jury on June 5, exploited an airline employee travel booking system from 2018 to 2024. Prosecutors said Alexander used the portal, reserved exclusively for pilots and flight attendants to fly on at least 34 flights without paying.According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Alexander falsely claimed to work for seven different airlines, submitting fabricated badge numbers and hire dates through the employee verification process. Authorities said he used around 30 sets of falsified credentials over the course of the scheme.In addition to booking flights through a single airline’s platform, Alexander also impersonated flight crew with three other carriers to further extend his access to free travel.He was charged with wire fraud and breaching airport security protocols by entering restricted areas under false pretenses. Alexander now faces up to 30 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on August 25.The Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Atlanta field office led the investigation.
