Colton Harris-Moore, age 20, pleaded guilty last week to federal charges related to his two-year crime spree, during which he stole four airplanes and a boat, and now a movie about his exploits is in the works — with profits to go to his victims. Harris-Moore, known as the “Barefoot Bandit,” was arrested in the Bahamas last July after flying there in a stolen Cessna Corvalis, which he ditched on a reef. He was captured while trying to flee in a stolen motorboat. Federal prosecutors say he owes about $1.4 million to his victims, so they are hoping the movie deal goes through. “While we cannot stop him from telling his story, we can make sure he never sees a dime for his crimes,” said U.S. Atty. Jenny Durkan.
The federal court is expected to sentence Harris-Moore in October; he could serve up to seven years in prison. Harris-Moore is also facing state charges in Washington, where he is expected to plead guilty later this summer. Besides the Corvalis, he stole two Cirrus SR22s and a Cessna 182. He never had a formal flying lesson but reportedly taught himself to fly using online resources. His lawyer, John Henry Browne, told CNN that Harris-Moore hopes to go to college one day and study aviation or engineering.
