Man admits to photographing boarding passes, hiding in bathroom on Delta flight out of SLC

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — A Texas man facing federal charges has admitted to taking photos of passengers’ tickets and hiding in the plane’s bathroom in an attempt to stow away on a plane in Salt Lake City, according to federal officials.

Wicliff Yves Fleurizard, 26, was indicted on a felony charge in 2024 after allegedly attempting to “catch a free flight to Austin, Texas from Salt Lake City International Airport,” according to the United States Attorney’s Office, District of Utah.

On Wednesday, March 12, authorities announced that Fleurizard pleaded guilty during a change of plea hearing. He will be sentenced on May 20 in the U.S. District Court in downtown Salt Lake City.

Fleurizard was on a snowboarding trip in Utah and was attempting to return to his home state using his friend’s Southwest “buddy pass.” When the flight he was hoping to catch was full, he took photos of multiple people’s tickets and used one to board Delta flight #1683, hiding in the bathroom.

Authorities say security footage captured him taking the photos on his phone and using his phone as a boarding pass to enter the aircraft. The aircraft moved away from the gate before returning, where law enforcement was waiting to take him into custody.

The case was investigated by an FBI Task Force officer and the Salt Lake City Police Department.