Movie of 'Barefoot Bandit' eyed by US govt

The US government now owns the story of Colton Harris-Moore, the gawky delinquent thief and burglar who will cool his heels in prison while a movie about his exploits as the "Barefoot Bandit" appears headed for a theatre near you.

The 20-year-old Harris-Moore pleaded guilty to seven federal felony charges on Friday in a plea agreement that recommends he serve between five-and-a-quarter and six-and-a-half years in prison to resolve the federal aspects of his two-year crime spree, including the thefts of two planes and a boat and being a fugitive in possession of a firearm.
Still pending are more than 30 state felony charges in four counties, which could add time to Harris-Moore's sentence.
San Juan County, Washington State, prosecutor Randall Gaylord said Friday he expects the state charges will be consolidated at a plea hearing in Island County Superior Court next month.
A 28-page plea agreement filed in the federal case indicates Harris-Moore is negotiating the purchase of his life story for a movie. The government hopes the negotiations succeed - Harris-Moore owes a minimum of $US1.4 million ($A1.33 million) in restitution in the federal case, and at least $US250,000 ($A237,868.7) in state restitution, prosecutors said.
According to the agreement, any proceeds from Harris-Moore's story will go to his many victims.
"Mr. Harris-Moore's flight from justice is over," said US Attorney Jenny Durkan at a news conference after the plea hearing. "While we cannot stop him from telling his story, we can make sure he never sees a dime for his crimes."
John Henry Browne, Harris-Moore's attorney, said his client does not want money or publicity.
Harris-Moore pleaded guilty to bank burglary; interstate transportation of an aircraft; interstate and foreign transportation of a stolen firearm; being a fugitive in possession of a firearm; piloting an aircraft without a valid airman's certificate; interstate transportation of a stolen vessel; and interstate transportation of a stolen aircraft.
Sentencing is set for October 28 before US District Judge Richard Jones.