Both Receive Three Years Supervised Probation For Their Roles In Airplane's Operation

The two suspects accused of operating an unregistered airplane that was seized two years ago in Cody, WY have been sentenced to three years supervised probation in the case.

On Wednesday, 27-year-old Scott Michael Lewis of Englewood, CO was sentenced to three years supervised probation following his conviction of operating an unregistered airplane. He pleaded guilty in April to the charge. After the plea, a federal prosecutor recommended that a second charge of conspiracy to operate an unregistered aircraft be dismissed, and U.S. District Judge Alan B. Johnson of Cheyenne, WY accepted the recommendation.

Television station KMGH reports that Lewis' probation in contingent on a lengthy list of conditions, including that he not file any flight plans. Lewis said he was sorry for his actions, and he would make certain he never again appeared in a criminal court. “Frankly, I think you are well on your way to rescuing yourself,” Johnson told Lewis.

On Friday, Gilbert Wayne Wiles Jr., 38, also received a three-year supervised probation sentence from U.S. District Judge Johnson.

Wiles had pleaded guilty to a felony charge of aiding and abetting the operation of an unregistered airplane back in April, according to a report from the Casper, WY Star-Tribune.

Lewis’ Cessna was seized two years ago after a worker at Yellowstone Regional Airport told authorities he noticed suspicious activity near the airplane after it landed on Feb. 27, 2014.

Drug dogs alerted on the airplane, but no drugs were found. An officer testified as a suppression hearing that he interpreted that to mean that the plane had been used at some point to transport illegal drugs.

A search of the two men's hotel room uncovered $250,000 cash.

As part of his sentence, Lewis was required to forfeit the Cessna to the federal government.

FMI: www.wyd.uscourts.gov