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Man With Box Cutter In Book At TIA Guilty Of Weapons Charge

Photo provided by the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority.

A security officer at Tampa International Airport found a box cutter hidden in a hollowed-out book in February.

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By RAY REYES

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 13, 2008

Benjamin Baines

TAMPA - Benjamin Baines Jr., who was arrested in February at Tampa International Airport after security found a box cutter in a hollowed-out book, pleaded guilty Monday in federal court.

Baines, 22, of Largo, could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. He is charged with attempting to board an airplane with a concealed dangerous weapon. Baines' sentencing hearing is set for July 24 before Judge William J. Castagna.

When airport security ran Baines' backpack through an X-ray machine Feb. 17, an image of a box cutter was visible, according to a report from the Transportation Security Administration.

When searching the backpack, a security officer found a book titled "Fear Itself," which was hollowed out. The box cutter was inside, the report said.

Baines later told authorities he had hollowed out the book to hide money and marijuana from his roommates. Officers said Baines told them he was moving to Las Vegas and forgot the cutter was in the book.

He was booked into Orient Road Jail on Feb. 17 and was charged with carrying a concealed weapon. He pleaded guilty to the state charge and was sentenced to 30 days in jail, court records show.

Baines was arrested by U.S. marshals after he completed the jail sentence of the state charge, the U.S. attorney's office said.

Reporter Ray Reyes can be reached at (813) 259-7920 or rreyes@tampatrib.com.

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