The St. Louis County District Attorney’s Office accuses Brooklyn Jones of Lambert International Airport of abusing his role as a Southwest Airlines customer service representative.
The charging documents obtained by Travel Noire underscore the allegations against Jones. Prosecutors believe he printed $79,000 worth of travel vouchers in the names of former passengers before personally redeeming them and selling them for a profit. The illegal business is said to have taken place from August to September 2023.
Southwest Airlines’ internal investigation led to the authorities being called in. The indictment states that Jones disclosed 119 vouchers valued at $36,300 in the presence of the officials. The defendant had kept the fake receipts in his employee locker at Lambert International Airport before handing them over to a Southwest investigator.
Jones told authorities he taught himself to forge the coupons and make money doing so. Court documents also say the defendant believed no one else at Lambert International Airport was committing the same crime. Jones allegedly confessed to forging $79,000 worth of coupons and receiving money for them four times. The unnamed Southwest investigator claimed Jones admitted to his crimes in a written statement.
What will happen to Brooklyn Jones for allegedly stealing Southwest Airlines travel vouchers?
According to Travel Pulse, a Southwest spokesperson confirmed Jones’ arrest. A local Fox station reported that an airline representative said the defendant had been fired. Another publication said Jones had pleaded not guilty to the theft charge.
The former Southwest employee reportedly has a court date on September 16. He is still considered innocent. If found guilty, he faces three to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
Southwest Airlines declined to comment, citing authorities’ reticence. Neither the airline nor Lambert International Airport provided information on how long Jones had been employed there.
