SEATTLE — Negotiations to resolve the complex criminal case against the “Barefoot Bandit” are expected to conclude by June 1, his attorneys said Friday.
Colton Harris-Moore, 20, of Camano Island, faces criminal proceedings in as many as 17 federal and state jurisdictions, said John Henry Bro
wne, a Seattle defense attorney. Plea deals are in the works.
“By the end of May we will have a global resolution in this case,” Browne said Friday during a 20-minute hearing at U.S. District Court in Seattle.
The case likely will be resolved with Harris-Moore reaching a plea arrangement at the federal level and concurrent plea deals at the state level.
Harris-Moore is an alleged serial burglar and thief. He’s suspected in nearly 100 crimes including stealing boats, cars and planes. He earned the Barefoot Bandit name because he sometimes fled crimes scenes without wearing shoes.
The crime spree stretched across nine states and three countries.
“I don’t expect to be a party to any agreement between the federal government and Mr. Harris Moore,” said Greg Banks, the Island County prosecuting attorney.
Banks said he is open to having Harris-Moore enter a guilty plea to state charges in Island County Superior Court in Coupeville.
“I really think he needs to come to Island County,” Banks said. Harris-Moore grew up on Camano Island and for years prowled empty vacation homes helping himself to food and fancy electronics.
He was arrested in 2007 after a six-month crime spree on the island. Harris-Moore escaped a halfway house near Renton about a year later. He had been serving time for crimes committed when he was 15 and younger.
He allegedly returned to Camano Island after his escape and his criminal escapades continued. Harris-Moore evaded capture for more than two years. He was arrested in the Bahamas in July.
Now prosecutors from multiple jurisdictions apparently are cooperating to resolve all the cases.
Some jurisdictions have not signed on and further negotiations are required, Browne said.
Harris-Moore’s mother, Pam Kohler, has said she planned to attend Friday’s hearing.
Her son persuaded her not to come in a phone call from the Federal Detention Center in SeaTac on Thursday night, Browne said.
Four months ago Harris-Moore was moved out of isolation and joined the general population in the federal jail. His cellmate is a white-collar criminal suspected in a Ponzi scheme, Browne said.
Harris-Moore is spending time reading American mythologist Joseph Campbell and studying aircraft engineering, his attorney said.
Browne on Friday refused to comment on how many years his client faces behind bars. In the past, the lawyer predicted Harris-Moore could serve up to a dozen years.
Despite becoming an American outlaw folk hero, Harris-Moore doesn’t like all the attention that he’s received. He’s even turned down an offer to meet Frank Abagnale, the man played by Leonardo Dicaprio in the film, “Catch Me if You Can.”
The Barefoot Bandit prefers his own company.
“He’s really into solitude,” Browne said.
Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3447; jholtz@heraldnet.com.
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