Colton Harris-Moore, also known as the “Barefoot Bandit,” wants to sell the rights to his story, effectively pausing plea negotiations in the case.
Harris-Moore, 20, led authorities on a two-year chase from Washington State to the Bahamas, stealing boats, planes and cars along the way. He earned his nickname by committing most of his crimes barefoot, and his popularity has led to a high demand for movies or books about the case. Harris-Moore has said he doesn’t mind if the proceeds from the merchandise go to repay his victims, his attorney said Wednesday.
The snag in the plea negotiations comes from federal prosecutors who are hesitant to allow Harris-Moore to sell his story at all, despite initial agreements that proceeds from media deals would be allowed to help repay his victims. Most of the losses sustained by the burglary and theft victims were already addressed by insurance companies and the defense has said the feds’ move to block the publicity deals “doesn’t make any sense.”
Harris-Moore will appear in court Thursday, ABC News reports, and is expected to plead not guilty to the superseding indictment filed against him.
Harris-Moore’s incredible run from the authorities began in early 2008 when he climbed out the window of a Seattle halfway house and began burglarizing vacation homes in surrounding islands. He also stole planes from small airports in the area, totaling two of the aircrafts in crash-landings. He had no formal flight training, ABC said.
After nearly a year of theft in Washington, Harris-Moore travelled to Oregon in a 32-foot stolen boat, first stopping to leave $100 at an animal shelter in southwestern Washington. From there, he made his way across the country by stealing cars, finally stealing a plane in Indiana and flying to the Bahamas where he was captured at gunpoint in a stolen boat.
Harris-Moore’s rap sheet of more than 70 crimes has gained him a devoted following, and even a Facebook fan group.
