Unscreened Passenger’s Actions Lead to Flight Cancellation and Restitution Order
A Pennsylvania man was sentenced last Tuesday to one year of probation and ordered to pay $59,143 in restitution after pleading guilty to entering an airport area in violation of security requirements. The charges stem from an incident at Philadelphia International Airport last June that led to a significant security breach and the cancellation of an American Airlines flight.
According to statements made in court, on June 26, 2024, at approximately 12:12 a.m., Beaulieu approached the Terminal C exit lane, which is designed to prevent unauthorized entry into the airport’s “sterile area” – the terminals beyond the TSA security checkpoint. He informed security guard J.M. that he had left his phone inside the airport and needed to retrieve it.
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Despite J.M.’s repeated warnings and calls to police dispatch informing her that officers could not assist with finding his phone, Beaulieu persisted in his attempts to enter. He even reportedly dropped a $50 bill on J.M.’s desk, asking if it would grant him access. J.M. refused the money and continued to tell him he could not enter.
After a brief argument, Beaulieu bypassed J.M. and walked into the sterile area. J.M. immediately reported the security breach, providing a description of Beaulieu. Airport security personnel, monitoring surveillance cameras, quickly identified Beaulieu boarding a plane at Gate A-20.
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Philadelphia police responded to the gate to find the plane doors closed and the aircraft preparing for departure. The captain was notified of an unscreened passenger on board, leading to the plane’s return to the gate. All passengers were subsequently removed, and Beaulieu was located and arrested.
As a direct consequence of an unscreened passenger boarding, the entire plane had to undergo a thorough search, resulting in the cancellation of the flight. American Airlines reported the cost incurred due to the cancellation to be $59,143, the amount Beaulieu is now ordered to pay in restitution.
Beaulieu was charged by information in January of this year and pleaded guilty in February. United States Attorney David Metcalf announced the sentencing, which was handed down by United States Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Hey.
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