Man Boarding Tampa Flight With Box Cutter Gets Probation

[JonLP24]

Source: The Tampa Tribune

TAMPA - A man arrested after trying to board a Southwest Airlines flight with a box cutter concealed inside a hardcover book was sentenced in federal court today to a year's probation.

Benjamin Baines Jr., 22, of Clearwater pleaded guilty to a federal weapons violation in May as part of a plea agreement, court papers show.

Judge William Castagna today sentenced Baines to a year's probation, which includes substance-abuse treatment.

According to court papers, Baines was arrested Feb. 17 at Tampa International Airport with the box cutter hidden inside a hollow compartment within the pages of a book entitled "Fear Itself." The book was in his carry-on bag.



Read more: http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/jul/24/man-boarding-tampa-flight-box-cutter-gets-probatio/

[no_hypocrisy]

1. What? He's not an enemy combatant?

Did they at least put HIS name on the No-Fly List?????

[Robb]

2. How odd

Baines told investigators he had created the compartment inside the book to hide money and marijuana from his cousin, court papers say.

...The title of the book leads me to think this might've been some kind of statement, which he hastily backtracked upon once he realized exactly how deep his trouble hole was. 22? Who can say. :shrug:

Edited to add some photos:

[Frisbee]

3. Now THIS is surprising...

I am shocked to see he is a man of color. I was fully expecting this to be some white kid who got off with a slap on the wrist. (disclaimer: I'm white)

[kestrel91316]

4. I almost got on a plane this week with pepper spray in my purse.

I had bought it just to have on hand in NOLA and forgot to throw it away until I was right at security. I hate to think what would have happened if they had found it in my purse. You'd probably be reading about me right here......

[TomInTib]

5. I sure hope your return flight went smoother than the trip East.

Just reading about it almost wore me out.

Tom

[kestrel91316]

6. Yeah, it went off without a hitch. The last two times I have flown,

it has taken me at least 24 hours to get to my destination. Milwaukee, WI last Christmas, and now this. Oy.

NOLA was a hoot, and I loved the food, BTW. A tad bit too hot and muggy for my tastes this time of year, but otherwise wonderful.