Barefoot Bandit Gets 7+ Years

Colton Harris-Moore, the "Barefoot Bandit," was sentenced today to more than seven years in prison after pleading guilty to dozens of state charges. The 20-year-old man gained international notoriety while evading police across the country in stolen planes, boats and cars during a two-year crime spree. Today's proceedings consolidated cases against Harris-Moore in three Washington counties. He has already pleaded guilty to federal charges in Seattle and will be sentenced for those crimes early next year. He will serve his state and federal sentences at the same time.

In a statement provided to the judge, Harris-Moore said his childhood was one he wouldn't wish on his "darkest enemies." He said he studied manuals and online videos to teach himself to be a pilot, and the thrills he experienced while flying stolen planes renewed his passion for life and will help him rehabilitate while in prison. He said he'll use his prison time to study and get ready to apply to college, with the hope of earning an aeronautical engineering degree. State prosecutors asked for a nine-and-a-half year sentence. (More Barefoot Bandit stories.)