Two Men Accused of Stealing $550,000 From Airlines with False Lost Luggage Reports

Sep. 25—For falsely and repeatedly reporting that their flight luggage had been lost, two New Orleans area men have been charged with stealing more than $550,000 from commercial airlines, federal prosecutors said Friday.

Pernell Anthony Jones Jr, 31, of Kenner and Donmonick Martin, 29, of Chalmette are accused of collaborating to submit more than 180 claims over five years to American, Alaska, United, JetBlue and other airlines for nonexistent lost luggage.

As part of the plot, Jones flew on commercial airlines under fictitious names and with fake identification from 2015 to last year, the government contends. When he arrived at his destinations, he allegedly reported his luggage was lost and requested compensation from the airlines, which mailed him reimbursement checks.

Martin agreed to allow his home address and PayPal account to be used for receipt of reimbursements, and on one occasion falsely reported a lost bag himself at Louis Armstrong International Airport, prosecutors alleged.

The U.S. attorney's office charged both defendants Thursday in bills of information. The agency didn't elaborate on how Jones, Martin and other alleged co-conspirators were caught.

Jones is charged with conspiracy and mail fraud, Martin with conspiracy. If convicted, Jones could be sentenced to as long as 20 years in prison, Martin to as long as five years, although maximum sentences in federal court are rare for first offenders.

Neither man could be reached Friday at publicly listed telephone numbers for them. They have not entered pleas in the case.

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