This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A Provo man has pleaded guilty in Texas to a misdemeanor charge stemming from trying to sneak a hazardous material on an airline flight from Austin to Salt Lake City — namely, a generator that contained gasoline.
Paul S. Perry pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Austin to a charge of entering an airport area in violation of security requirements.
His sentencing is scheduled for May 5.
A news release from the U.S. Department of Transportation said that on May 16, 2014, Perry was told by Southwest Airlines in Austin that he could not check a cardboard box, which contained a laptop computer and a gas-powered generator.
Gasoline is a prohibited item for checked baggage on commercial passenger flights.
The Transportation Department said Perry then proceeded to the Sky Cap outdoor curb-side check-in area, and was able to check the box after misrepresenting its contents.
However during the screening process, the Transportation Security Administration discovered the gas generator, and found that it was half-full of fuel.
The news release said Perry cooperated during the investigation by the Transportation Department's inspector general.