OAKLAND — Federal prosecutors say a former baggage handler at Oakland International Airport has pleaded guilty to conspiring with other airport employees to smuggle marijuana.
Cloudy with light rain developing this afternoon. High 61F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%..
Steady light rain this evening. Showers continuing overnight. Potential for heavy rainfall. Low 54F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
Updated: December 19, 2025 @ 4:29 am
OAKLAND — Federal prosecutors say a former baggage handler at Oakland International Airport has pleaded guilty to conspiring with other airport employees to smuggle marijuana.
The U.S. Attorney Office said former Southwest Airlines baggage handler Keith Mayfield pleaded guilty to the charges Wednesday in federal court.
The office says the 37-year-old Mayfield admitted that between 2013 and 2015 he used his security badge at least 40 times to get through screening areas while carrying suitcases filled with marijuana. He then handed off the luggage to passengers waiting to board planes, who would transport them as carry-on to cities nationwide.
Mayfield was indicted by a federal grand jury in May 2015 along with 12 co-defendants, including two other former baggage handlers.
Mayfield is free while awaiting trial on a $200,000 bond.
Please purchase a Premium Subscription to continue reading.
To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.
We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.
A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means you’re helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
Only subscribers can view and post comments on articles.
Already a subscriber? Login Here
“A dazzling delight for all ages” Read moreRodger's & Hammerstein's Cinderella
Discover India with Us! Read moreIndia Community Travel: Virtual Information Session
Come as you are to a peaceful, family-friendly service of carols, candles, and the story of … Read moreChristmas Eve Candlelight Service
Join San Mateo County native and real estate expert Paisley Vartanian for the first-ever in-… Read moreNational Homeowners Day
Dirk van Ulden said:
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.