From June 2015 to October 2015, Bell worked at the Phoenix-based Mesa Airlines, a regional air carrier. While employed at Mesa, Bell was provided access to free Spirit Airlines tickets as a benefit he was permitted to use only while employed at Mesa. To book a free ticket on Spirit, a Mesa employee entered their personal identifying information and a unique verification code.

After Mesa Airlines terminated Bell’s employment, from February 2016 to November 2017, he conspired with others to sell the stolen and unauthorized information of Mesa employees – including their names, dates of hire, and employee identification numbers – that were needed to book free flights on Spirit Airlines through Spirit’s web portal for themselves and others.

Bell unlawfully used his Mesa employee information to book 34 free flights for himself on Spirit Airline, which allowed him to fly interstate, including into and out of Los Angeles International Airport, despite the fact Mesa Airlines no longer employed him. Bell also admitted he and his co-conspirators manufactured and sold fraudulent Mesa employee identification cards for use by the fraudulent travelers.