Barefoot Bandit Pleads Guilty, Gets 7 Years

Posted by: Editor on Dec 19, 2011 | 14 Comments

Oh man, do you remember this guy? Colton Harris-Moore captured the nation’s attention in 2010 by embarking on a wild (and wildly implausible) crime-and-flight spree that stretched from the sleepy woods of the Pacific Northwest to the Bahamian island of Eleuthera. The then-teenage bandit gained notoriety with both his daring methods of eluding capture – among other things, he stole a small plane and a speedboat to aid his escape – as well as his odd burglaries, during which he would enter a home, sometimes barefoot, and raid the fridge. Of course, he would also steal credit cards, cars, bicycles and yes, even airplanes, which is what prompted the Washington State Attorney to file 33 felony charges against him.

Harris-Moore pled guilty last Friday to all charges, and the judge handed down a sentence of seven years. The sentence will run concurrently with a Federal sentence on similar charges.

The Barefoot Bandit’s story was so improbable and intriguing that it merited a movie deal; the story of a young man (a boy really) leading state and federal authorities on a chase that included James-Bond-esque near-misses and exotic locales was optioned for $1.3 million.

Harris-Moore’s family won’t be able to send him any of that through JPay, though – the money has been distributed to his victims as part of his federal plea deal. The lesson? Crime – even nation-captivating, Facebook-fan-page-producing, straight-from-a-movie-script crime – never pays.

Jeanie
December 19, 2011
cute. real cute.
Beverly
December 22, 2011
And that was only in Washington!
Amanda
December 26, 2011
7 years for breaking into peoples houses and stealing food..lol.. really?… I mean I understand that it is a crime to steal, and he did not steal just food, but seven years is a bit extreme in my opinion. Its not like he hurt anyone. He did not touch anyone or kill anyone or even threaten anyone… Bullcrap!
Jimbo
December 26, 2011
Just goes to show, they don’t care about us. The PEOPLE. Rape someone and get probation with an ankle bracelet, but steal property? OHHHHHHHHHHH NO YOU DIDN’T!!

Reminds me of my small town police department, and their nearly 20 man SWAT raid on a house because the 17 year old living there was a “graffiti artist”. 20 personnel, full riot gear, tactical shotguns, battle rifles, bulletproof vests, et cetera. SWAT cops over some scrawny loser putting one too many layers of paint on walls around town.

Yet: Rob someone with a deadly weapon and they would show up with two sheriffs deputies to serve the warrant, guaranteed.

Kid ended up getting a $1000 fine and a couple hours of community service for one misdemeanor charge. That is just one story I’ve seen. They only care about property, not people. Ashamed to work for this city gov.
Robyn
December 28, 2011
Amanda, have you ever had your home burglarized. Didn’t think so, it’s far from a victimless crime. It stays with you for a very long time, we were burglarized over 2 years ago and we still hide anything that’s important to us and my son still worries about them coming back when he is sleeping.
kriket hollingsworth
December 29, 2011
this “barefoot” child is going to one day grow up and put on some big boy boots and go stomping through lots more living rooms, lots more kitchens, lots more bedrooms, lots more garages and gardens…. busting up priceless antiques, stealing electronics for drugs, raping women and young girls…and laughing all the way…simply because WE, the people,… because OUR justice system….because OUR society thought his “escipades” would make an excellent best selling million$$ movie!! HE and HIS family will be sitting pretty for a very long time to come..while the victims will suffer the scars of this nightmare….every time they hear his name or see him on the screen…
Veronica
December 31, 2011
You know, my first reaction to this was to snicker, like it was kinda funny…but as I kept reading I began to see the seriousness of his crimes. I have never, thank God, been a victim of a home burgulary, but I can imagine it could be traumatizing. Esp. trying to sleep after such a thing happened. And seven years for 33 felonys. Gee whiz…that’s really just a slap on the wrist and then considering that he will probably be paroled after only just a couple of those seven years. I hope that this punishment is enough that it will outweigh the memories of the adrenalin rushes that he got during his escapades or else he will be right back at it the minute they let him out of those prison gates.
Tinishia Samuels
December 31, 2011
Robyn, being raped or molested as a child also leaves lifelong internal scars. Those criminals get less time than this fool did. They hv 2 hv more than 1 conviction sometimes 2 in order for our “justice” system to give them more time. Based on statistics even murderers receive more time. Being burglarized whether in your home or the street leaves lifelong scars, the punishment does not alwayz fit the crime or even the same punishment across board. Our justice system needs some work! I pray you & your family find peace!

As for Colton, his punishment did not fit his crime. In my opinion he got off easy.
penniless
January 2, 2012
Really people?? First off, this “kid” plead guilty to 33 counts of fraud….33! Each count surely adds up to at least a year. To get seven years is nothing. As far as the rapist comment…those rapists sit 20 plus years for their wrong doing. I agree the judicial system is very young and needs a lot of work done to make things a bit more fair but it takes people to make those changes. Write congressmen and other government entities and try to make a difference. Its always easy to complain, the real challenge is coming up with a viable solution.
Steven
January 7, 2012
ok, so i truly feel 7 years for his offenses is a real slap on the wrist…to say he didnt threaten no one or any of that is ridiculous…lets think of the lives he put at risk by stealing the cars and racing them down streets, the boats he stole or lets think about the plane he stole in which i guarantee he has never had no training in flying…grant it he didnt crash it but all of you wouldnt be sayin that if he crashed into your house…i know i dont want no frickin teenager flyin no planes above my house…and as for the rapist they get off way too easy…my bro is doing time for beating someone with a bat and been there for over 15 years while he watches baby rapers and shit come and go with 4-5yrs or less per visit back to prison…example, he had a bunkie convicted of almost 100 counts of CSC but since the guy was partially mentally handicapped, recieved 2yrs and 8months, and guess what-got a first time parole…seriously, the judicial system does need work but obviously not in the way half of America thinks…having set guidlines for certain crimes and not taking in account the crime at hand is bullshit…instead they look in a book and so “oh for this crime we will give him 2yrs, cuz thats what the book says” F*** their book…on that note im out…
richard odom
January 7, 2012
At 7 years it will cost over 50 thousand dollers a year to keep him .The American poeple get robed again .
we Should make him do hard work to pay,Not playing basket ball all day.
Bonnie
January 13, 2012
That is crazy i dont understand the things some people do.
Tama-Lisa
January 15, 2012
Per Wa state law you cannot profit off your crime. So no…he Will not be sitting pretty. He’ll probably get hard copy or extra to psych for interviews but this kid shoulda gotten was a spanking when he was about 10!!!
Sue
January 22, 2012
Well, no matter what the sentence is, he may be very good in prison and get out early!!! Cops seem to pick and choose their battles and which crimes to fight. At least, here in good ole’ Flint, MI (murder capitol of the nation) per capita. Our policeman don’t go into the worst areas, they let people duke it out themselves, I guess.