Pearland man pleads guilty to using fake TWIC card to gain entrance into Westlake facility

LAKE CHARLES, La. – U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Texas man pleaded guilty Thursday to trying to use a fake TWIC card to enter a Westlake plant.

Jacob Charles Travis, 32, of Pearland, Texas, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen Kay to one count of fraudulent possession or use of an official pass. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi. According to the guilty plea, Travis attempted to enter a petrochemical plant in Westlake, La., using a fake Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC card) on May 23 and 24 of 2016 to perform work as a sub-contractor. Security guards questioned the use of the card both times, and Travis left the premises before his TWIC card could be verified. Law enforcement agents questioned Travis on May 26, 2016, and he admitted to buying a fake TWIC card to gain entrance into the facility. The plant is a Transportation Security Act regulated facility and workers are required to present a TWIC card to enter.

Travis faces up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. A sentencing date of March 9, 2017 was set.

The U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Abendroth is prosecuting the case.