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Man Boarding Tampa Flight With Box Cutter Gets Probation

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 24, 2008

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.

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

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