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Colton Harris Moore

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This article is about the American burglar Colton Harris Moore. For the American politician, see Colton Moore.

Colton Harris Moore (born March 22, 1991) is an American former fugitive. He was charged with the theft of hundreds of thousands of dollars in property, including several small aircraft, boats, and multiple cars, all committed while still a teenager.

Colton Harris Moore
Born (1991-03-22) March 22, 1991 (age 33)
Mount Vernon, Washington, U.S.
Other names"Barefoot Bandit"
"Barefoot Burglar"
(aliases) Colton A. Harris, Colton A. Harris Molton, Colton Harris, Colton Moore, Colton A Burgess, Colton A. Moore, Colton Kohler
CitizenshipUnited States
Known forBurglary
Height6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Criminal charge(s)"Interstate Transportation of A Stolen Aircraft", "Interstate Transportation of A Stolen Boat", "Piloting An Aircraft Without a Valid Airman's Certificate", "Attempt to Elude", "Illegal Landing" (Landing an airplane in the Bahamas)
Criminal statusPlead guilty to state and federal charges, sentenced in Jan. 2012 to 6 and a half years on federal charges, sentenced in Dec. 2011 to a concurrent term of over seven years for the state charges.
Parent(s)Gordon Moore
Pamela A. Kohler (nee Harris)
Notes

He fled to the Bahamas on July 4, 2010, allegedly in a plane stolen from Bloomington, Indiana.[10] He was indicted on July 6, 2010, by a U.S. Federal Court in Seattle, Washington, on charges of transporting another stolen aircraft in that state. Moore, still only 19, was arrested in Harbour Island, Bahamas, on July 11, 2010, after police shot out the engine of the boat in which he was attempting to flee.[5] Two days later, he was extradited from Nassau, Bahamas, to Miami, Florida, and transferred on July 21 to the Federal Detention Center, SeaTac in Washington.[9] On December 16, 2011, Moore was sentenced to more than seven years in prison for dozens of consolidated charges brought against him from three different counties. On January 27, 2012, he was sentenced to six and a half years for related federal crimes.[11]

He became known as the "Barefoot Bandit" by reportedly committing some of his crimes barefoot, once leaving behind 39 chalk footprints and the word "CYA!." Despite the widely reported nickname, officials said that he more often wore shoes.[3]

On September 28, 2016, Moore was released from prison on parole.[12]

Background edit

Colton Harris Moore was born in Mount Vernon, Washington and grew up in his mother's house on Camano Island.[13][14] Neighbors said they made several calls to Child Protective Services, believing he was neglected or abused.[14] His father, Gordon, used drugs and was in prison while Moore was a toddler.[3] When he was twelve years old, his father (who had recently been released) walked into the woods after an argument at a family barbecue, was subsequently arrested and not heard from again.[15][16] According to his mother, Pamela Kohler, his stepfather died when he was about seven years old, and from the time Moore was in the first grade, she knew there was "something off about him" – "sort of a disconnection". He would not listen to his teachers, started altercations at school, and would sometimes deliberately break things around the house.[17] According to a court-ordered psychiatric evaluation, Moore said that his mother drank and became mean, breaking his possessions.[3]

He started living in the wild at the age of seven, and would break into vacation homes in the area, stealing blankets, food and water before disappearing into the forest for days.[17] His first conviction for stolen property came at age 12, and by the time he was 13, he had three more. He has been diagnosed with depression, attention deficit disorder and intermittent explosive disorder.[18] Each conviction brought a 10-day stay in a detention center, or community service. His mother once said, "Every time he had anything any good, everyone thought he stole it. What does that do to a kid?"[19] In 2003, police found a neighbor's camcorder in his home. Never before sentenced to more than a month,[14] he was given a three-year juvenile sentence and was housed at the Green Hill School in Chehalis.[20][21] He was transferred to a halfway house in Renton where he fled by walking out of the facility in April 2008.[22]

Suspected offenses edit

 
 
A Cessna 182T (top) and Cessna 400 (bottom), similar to airplanes allegedly stolen by Harris Moore.

Moore is suspected of being responsible for approximately 100 thefts in Washington, Idaho, and Canada, including bicycles, automobiles, light aircraft, and speedboats.[15] It is believed that he learned how to fly small planes by reading aircraft manuals, handbooks, watching a "How to fly a small airplane" DVD, and playing flight simulator computer games.[17] One plane he stole in 2009 was a Cessna 182, FAA registration number N24658, belonging to then KZOK-FM radio personality Bob Rivers, valued at over $150,000.[22] The plane was later recovered from a Yakama Indian Reservation crash site. Though badly damaged, it was rebuilt and is in Florida.[23]

According to local sheriffs, Moore would often slip into a home just to soak in a hot bath or steal ice cream from the freezer. While his thefts would escalate to increasing value in cash and property, he initially would steal only what he needed for living in the woods as a survivalist. In 2009, he allegedly used a homeowner's computer and credit card to order bear mace and a pair of $6,500 night vision goggles.[15]

On May 30, 2010, police found a handwritten note and $100 at a veterinary clinic in Raymond, Washington, approximately 95 miles (150 km) southwest of Seattle. The note read:[24]

Drove by, had some extra cash. Please use this money for the care of animals

— Colton Harris Moore, (AKA: "The Barefoot Bandit"), Camano Island, WA.

In late June 2010, Moore was suspected of vehicle thefts stretching as far east as Illinois. The trail of suspected thefts attributed to him passes through Idaho, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, and Illinois. Police found a 2008 white Toyota Sequoia in Norfolk, Nebraska, which was reported stolen in Yankton, South Dakota. Later that day, several burglaries were reported at Karl Stefan Memorial Airport, located 1 mile (2 km) south of where the SUV was abandoned.[25][26] A truck owned by the town of Ottumwa, Iowa, was later recovered in Dallas City, Illinois.[27] On July 4, 2010, a Cessna 400 single-engine plane was reported stolen from the Bloomington, Indiana, airport. It was later found crashed in the shoreline waters of Great Abaco Island in the Bahamas, again leading to speculation that Moore was responsible.[28] Shortly afterward, there were several break-ins reported across the island.[29]

On July 6, 2010, an indictment was released from a federal judge of the U.S. District Court of Western Washington, which was originally filed in December 2009.[30] This indictment cites Moore for interstate transport of stolen property/airplane theft, related to a plane stolen from Bonners Ferry, Idaho that crashed outside of Granite Falls, Washington. The FBI placed a $10,000 bounty for information leading to his arrest, and federal agents believed that he was responsible for the recent Indiana theft.[10]

Capture edit

 
 
After being captured, Harris Moore spent his time in the United States federal detention centers in Miami (top) and SeaTac (bottom).

On July 11, 2010, Moore was captured just before dawn at Harbour Island, Bahamas.[31] Local officers picked up his trail in Eleuthera after recovering a 44-foot (13-meter) power boat stolen from a marina on Great Abaco. A police official said the suspect attempted to flee, but police shot out the engine on his stolen boat.[32] Before being arrested, Moore threw his portable computer into the water and put a gun to his head, but the police talked him out of killing himself.[6] He told the police that he intended to go to Cuba to throw authorities off his trail and from there to the Turks and Caicos Islands.[33] His mother had hoped that he would flee to a country that did not have an extradition treaty with the United States.[32]

In March 2011, FBI Special Agent Fred Gutt confirmed the reward fund payout: "The $10,000 bounty money was paid out to people directly involved in (Moore's) capture." The reward money was split among Jordan Sackett, Capt. Ronald Billiot, Capt. Patrick Young, Capt. Ben Johnson and Kenny Strachan, a security guard at the Romora Bay Resort.[34]

Criminal proceedings edit

Moore pleaded guilty on July 13, 2010, to illegal entry to the Bahamas and illegally landing a plane. He was sentenced to three months in jail or a $300 fine.[6] His mother wired the money to the U.S. Embassy in Nassau, which in turn paid the fine.[35] He was deported the same day via overnight commercial flight, accompanied by Bahamian authorities and United States agents of the FBI to Miami, Florida. On July 14, Moore appeared before U.S. Magistrate Robert Dube to determine his legal representation, which had been hired on his behalf by his mother.[33]

In a hearing on July 16, 2010, in the U.S. District Court of Southern Florida, Judge Dube ruled that Moore would be sent to Washington state to face charges there first because he was arrested under their warrant. Moore waived his right to an extradition hearing. He was held at the Federal Detention Center in Miami until July 21,[36] when he was transferred by the Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System to the Federal Detention Center in SeaTac, Washington. He was required to wear handcuffs and leg irons while being transported to Washington.[37] A federal judge at the U.S. District Court of Western Washington in Seattle set a November 15 deadline for prosecutors to have Moore formally indicted by a federal grand jury.[38] However, Moore waived his right to a speedy trial, permitting both the defense and the prosecution more time to prepare for the case.[39] On November 18, 2010, Moore pleaded not guilty in federal court to charges of interstate transportation of a stolen plane, boat and gun, and of being a fugitive in possession of a firearm and flying a plane without a pilot's license.[1]

On September 30, 2010, Harley Davidson Ironwing, a self-described associate of Moore's burglaries, pleaded guilty to assault and was sentenced to 18 months in prison.[40]

On June 17, 2011, federal prosecutors recommended that Moore be sentenced to six years in prison. Moore pleaded guilty to all seven counts on the federal indictment. The Washington State Court, however, recommended that he be sentenced to 10 years in prison for a break-in and burglary near Granite Falls, Washington.[41]

At sentencing, prosecutors were expected to ask for a term of 9½ years, while Moore's attorneys, John Henry Browne and Emma Scanlan, were expected to ask for a 6-year term, citing psychiatric and mitigation reports describing his bleak childhood.[42]

On December 16, 2011, Moore was sentenced in Island County court to more than seven years in prison. Superior Court Judge Vickie Churchill stated, "This case is a tragedy in many ways, but it's a triumph of the human spirit in other ways." Describing Moore's childhood as a "mind numbing absence of hope", she stated the 20-year-old was genuinely remorseful for his crimes. Moore has said that he plans to spend his time in prison studying in preparation for applying to college in order to earn a degree in aeronautical engineering.[43][44]

On January 27, 2012, Judge Richard Jones of Federal District Court in Seattle sentenced Moore to six and a half years in prison for his infamous international crime spree. During sentencing Moore addressed the court and U.S. Judge Richard Jones, saying that it is "no stretch of the imagination to say that I'm lucky to be alive." His federal sentence will be served jointly with state prison time.[45]

In July 2016, Moore was released on probation to a halfway house near Seattle. Moore has reportedly secured a job at his defense attorney's Seattle law firm, doing "low-level clerical work".[46] His efforts to raise money via social media to fund flight school training were vetoed by his parole officer, who said any money raised must go toward the $129,000 in restitution that he owes his victims.[47]

"Barefoot Bandit" edit

Moore became known as the "Barefoot Bandit" or as the "Barefoot Burglar", for reportedly committing some of his crimes while barefoot.[4] In Fall 2009, police found footprints at an airport hangar in Bonners Ferry, Idaho; a Cessna 182 stolen from there crash-landed approximately 260 miles (420 km) to the west near Granite Falls, Washington, after a few unsuccessful attempts to land at the small airport there. Police in the San Juan Islands also found cartoonish, chalk outlines of feet drawn upon the floor of a grocery store that was broken into in February 2010.[24] Moore became an internet sensation with a Facebook fan page drawing about 60,000 members.[22][48] A local Seattle man started selling T-shirts bearing Moore's picture with the words "Momma Tried".[19] Local people from Camano Island also attempted to vent their frustrations through a song,[49] as well as a blog which included the sale of merchandise and accepted donations to purchase the services of a bounty hunter.[50]

In April 2010, 20th Century Fox purchased the film rights to the book The Barefoot Bandit: The True Tale of Colton Harris-Moore, New American Outlaw, by Bob Friel.[51] Moore's mother has retained celebrity lawyer Yale Lewis to seek control of entertainment interests related to her son. She has also hired John Henry Browne to handle her son's criminal defense.[52] Under a plea deal Moore agreed to forfeit any profits from selling publishing rights to his story.[53]

The Barefoot Bandit Documentary[54] (which premiered at Friday Harbor Film Festival on November 7, 2014, filmmaker Carly Bodmer) explores the childhood and time that Moore spent evading the law. Pam Kohler (Colton's mother), the FBI, lawyer John Henry Browne, and a range of personalities from Moore's hometown to the Bahamas piece together why he did what he did.

A 2014 Canadian documentary about Moore called Fly Colt Fly: Legend of the Barefoot Bandit was made by brothers Adam and Andrew Gray,[55] showing how the mythic story evolved in the media and how Moore became a 21st century outlaw folk hero.

In December 2015, Moore began publishing a blog which has since been taken down. His stated intent was to break his long-standing silence, and to voice his support for presidential candidate Donald Trump.[56]

References edit

  1. ^ a b Myers, Laura (18 November 2010). "'Barefoot bandit' suspect pleads innocent". Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on 20 November 2010. Retrieved 19 November 2010.
  2. ^ Mueller, Robert S. "Colton A. Harris-Moore (Wanted by the FBI)". Federal Bureau of Investigation. Archived from the original on July 11, 2010. Retrieved July 10, 2010.
  3. ^ a b c d Holtz, Jackson (July 12, 2010). "Colton Harris Moore captured in the Bahamas". The Herald. Archived from the original on September 1, 2011. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
  4. ^ a b Reynolds, Megan; Melia, Mike (July 8, 2010). "Authorities target 'barefoot burglar' in Bahamas". NBC News. Retrieved July 13, 2010.
  5. ^ a b Owens, Ryan; Netter, Sarah (July 13, 2010). "'Barefoot Bandit' Colton Harris Moore Deported to Miami". ABC News. Retrieved July 13, 2010.
  6. ^ a b c Hayes, Ashley (July 13, 2010). "'Barefoot bandit' pleads guilty in the Bahamas". CNN. Retrieved July 13, 2010.
  7. ^ "State of Washington vs. Colton A. Harris-Moore". Associated Press. September 29, 2009. Archived from the original on July 19, 2010. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
  8. ^ "The State of Nebraska vs. Colton A. Harris-MoltonMoore" (PDF). Seattle Post-Intelligencer. June 29, 2010. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
  9. ^ a b "Colton Harris-Moore Lands In Seattle". Q13 FOX. July 21, 2010. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved July 21, 2010.
  10. ^ a b Falcon, Gabriel (July 6, 2010). "'Barefoot bandit' faces indictment". CNN. Retrieved July 7, 2010.
  11. ^ Miller, Alyssa. "Harris-Moore pleads guilty to stealing aircraft, more". AOPA. Archived from the original on 23 June 2011. Retrieved 8 July 2011.
  12. ^ King News (28 September 2016). "Colton Harris-Moore out of prison into work release". king5.com. Archived from the original on 1 October 2016. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  13. ^ Colton Harris Moore Psychiatric Evaluation by Richard S. Adler M.D. Documentcloud.com
  14. ^ a b c Brooks, Diane (February 11, 2007). "Camano teen is 'in the right place now'". The Seattle Times. Retrieved October 9, 2009.
  15. ^ a b c McGirk, Tim (December 21, 2009). "America's Most Wanted Teenage Bandit". Time. Archived from the original on December 14, 2009. Retrieved July 2, 2010.
  16. ^ Oppmann, Patrick (July 22, 2010). "Court records reveal barefoot bandit's troubled childhood". CNN. Retrieved July 22, 2010.
  17. ^ a b c Lea, Robert (December 6, 2009). "Colton Harris-Moore, the barefoot boy bandit, outfoxes sheriffs". The Sunday Times. London. Retrieved July 3, 2010.
  18. ^ Nudd, Tim (2010-07-22). "Report Sheds Light on Barefoot Bandit's Sad, Troubled Youth - Crime & Courts, Colton Harris Moore". People.com. Retrieved 2012-12-26.
  19. ^ a b Johnson, Gene (October 6, 2009). "Teen burglar's mom: 'I hope he stole those planes'". KATU. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved July 3, 2010.
  20. ^ Wagar, Michael (July 7, 2010). "'Barefoot Bandit' Colton Harris-Moore Has Green Hill History". The Chronicle (Centralia, Washington). Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  21. ^ Kersten, Jason (July 12, 2010). "The Airplane Thief". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  22. ^ a b c Stevick, Eric (October 9, 2009). "Teen fugitive Colton Harris Moore becomes a national celebrity". The Herald. Retrieved July 3, 2010.
  23. ^ "Van Anda Aviation N24658".
  24. ^ a b "'Barefoot Bandit' Leaves Note, $100 At Raymond Vet Clinic". KIRO-TV. June 17, 2010. Archived from the original on June 20, 2010. Retrieved July 3, 2010.
  25. ^ Flandro, Carly (June 22, 2010). "Possible 'Barefoot Bandit' sightings: S.D., Nebraska". The Seattle Times. Retrieved July 3, 2010.
  26. ^ "'Barefoot Bandit' now wanted in Nebraska". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. June 29, 2010. Retrieved July 2, 2010.
  27. ^ Holtz, Jackson (June 24, 2010). "Harris Moore's trail extends to Illinois". The Herald. Retrieved July 2, 2010.
  28. ^ Holtz, Jackson (July 5, 2010). "Has 'Barefoot Bandit' hit the Tropics?". KOMO-TV. Archived from the original on March 20, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2010.
  29. ^ Falcon, Gabriel (July 8, 2010). "Possible sighting of 'barefoot bandit' reported in Bahamas". CNN. Retrieved July 9, 2010.
  30. ^ "'Barefoot bandit' suspect set for transfer to Washington". CNN. July 16, 2010. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
  31. ^ "Barefoot Bandit caught in Bahamas". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. July 12, 2010. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
  32. ^ a b McCartney, Juan; Melia, Mike (July 11, 2010). "'Barefoot Bandit' nabbed after 2 years as fugitive". ABC News. Associated Press. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
  33. ^ a b Anderson, Curt (July 14, 2010). "Accused 'Barefoot Bandit' has US court appearance". ABC News. Associated Press. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
  34. ^ Holtz, Jackson (2011-03-16). "5 split reward for Moore capture | HeraldNet.com - Local news". HeraldNet.com. Archived from the original on 2012-03-16. Retrieved 2012-12-26.
  35. ^ Holtz, Jackson (July 15, 2010). "Harris-Moore appears in Miami court". The Herald. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  36. ^ "'Barefoot bandit' deported back to the US". Agence France-Presse. July 13, 2010. Retrieved July 18, 2010.
  37. ^ Carter, Mike (July 20, 2010). "'Barefoot Bandit' to fly on 'Con-Air'". The Seattle Times. Retrieved July 26, 2010.
  38. ^ "Judge sets Nov. 15 deadline to indict Harris-Moore". The Herald. August 24, 2010. Retrieved August 24, 2010.
  39. ^ O'Hagan, Jeremiah (August 31, 2010). "Harris-Moore waives right to speedy trial". Stanwood Camano News. Retrieved August 31, 2010.[dead link]
  40. ^ "Barefoot Bandit buddy sentence in Everett". The Seattle Times. Associated Press. October 1, 2010. Retrieved October 7, 2010.
  41. ^ Holtz, Jackson (2011-06-17). "Colton Harris Moore could get nearly 10 years behind bars | HeraldNet.com - Local news". HeraldNet.com. Archived from the original on 2012-10-10. Retrieved 2012-12-26.
  42. ^ Muessig, Ben (December 16, 2011). "'Barefoot Bandit' Colton Harris Moore To Plead Guilty In Washington Court". Huffington Post.
  43. ^ "'Barefoot Bandit' Colton Harris-Moore Sentenced To More Than 7 Years For Spree". Huffington Post. December 16, 2011. Archived from the original on Mar 5, 2016.
  44. ^ "'Barefoot Bandit' gets more than 7 years for spree". Skagit Valley Herald. 2011-12-16. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
  45. ^ ""Barefoot Bandit" Colton Harris-Moore sentenced to 6 1/2 years in jail". CBS News. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
  46. ^ Newly released ex-con ‘Barefoot Bandit’ gets job with a surprising employer. q13fox.com (September 29, 2016), retrieved April 5, 2017.
  47. ^ Barefoot Bandit Forced to Quit Flight School Fundraiser. NYDailyNews.com (December 12, 2016), retrieved April 5, 2017.
  48. ^ Ebner, Mark (March 18, 2010). "Wanted: Colton Harris-Moore, An American Outlaw". Maxim. Archived from the original on June 20, 2010. Retrieved August 24, 2010.
  49. ^ Coleman, Vernal (May 6, 2010). "Camano Islanders Vent Frustration Over Colton Harris Moore...in Song". Seattle Weekly. Archived from the original on May 11, 2010. Retrieved July 3, 2010.
  50. ^ Coleman, Vernal (May 17, 2010). "Colton Harris Moore Haters Now Have a Home on the Web". Seattle Weekly. Archived from the original on May 20, 2010. Retrieved July 3, 2010.
  51. ^ The Barefoot Bandit: The True Tale of Colton Harris-Moore, New American Outlaw Hardcover. 20 March 2012. ISBN 978-1401324162.
  52. ^ Sullivan, Jennifer; Carter, Mike (9 July 2010). "Law would allow mom to cash in on 'Bandit' son". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2010-07-10.
  53. ^ "'Barefoot Bandit' Barred From Selling Story". Yahoo. June 18, 2011. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
  54. ^ "The Barefoot Bandit Documentary (2015)". IMDb. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
  55. ^ "Fly Colt Fly". IMDb. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
  56. ^ "Colton Harris Moore - Personal Blog". Colton Harris Moore. 2015-12-19. Archived from the original on 2015-12-26.

External links edit

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