Ruskin Gyrocopter Pilot To Plead Guilty

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Florida man who piloted his one-person aircraft through some of the nation’s most restricted airspace before landing on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol is expected to formally enter a guilty plea in the case.

Douglas Hughes of Ruskin, Florida, said earlier this month that he had agreed to a deal in which he would plead guilty to a felony, operating a gyrocopter without a license. He is expected to formally enter the plea during a federal court hearing Friday in Washington.

Hughes’ attorney Mark Goldstone has said he will ask for probation and that prosecutors have agreed not to ask for more than 10 months in prison.

Hughes has said his April 15 stunt was a way to call attention to what he called the influence of big money in politics.