Will Spend Three Years In Federal Prison

A pilot from Austin, TX has been sentenced to 37 months in federal prison for an attempt to transport and distribute marijuana using his private plane.

The pilot is 65-year-old Douglas Brunet. He was sentenced Friday on charges of possession with intent to distribute between 50 and 100 kg (110 to 220 pounds) of marijuana. Television station KXAN reports that Brunet was arrested March 20 at Llano Municipal Airport after 206 pounds of hydroponically-grown marijuana and $5,400 were found in 15 duffel bags in his airplane. The U.S. Attorney's Office said they became suspicious of Brunet's activities when they noticed a pattern of flights between Oregon and Texas.

Brunet knew the authorities were on to him. They tried to arrest him at two other airports, but he saw them on the ground before landing. He reportedly tried to run when he landed at Llano, but he was apprehended.

Brunet pleaded guilty on June 28 to a drug trafficking charge. Along with the prison time, he must pay a $5,000 fine. He was required to forfeit his 1969 Piper PA-30 (Twin Comanche) airplane, along with the cash that was discovered and $3,000 in prepaid cards also found in the aircraft. After serving his prison time, he will be placed on three years supervised release.

(Image from file. Not Brunet's airplane)

FMI: Original Story