Barefoot Bandit pleadsnot guilty to federal charges

SEATTLE (AP) - The 20-year-old "Barefoot Bandit," whose daring two-year run from the law in stolen boats, cars and planes earned him international notoriety, pleaded not guilty to a new indictment in federal court Thursday, even as his attorney indicated a deal with the government to resolve the case is nearly complete.

Colton Harris-Moore entered the courtroom in tan prison garb and greeted lawyer John Henry Browne with a broad smile. He told the judge "good morning" before Assistant U.S. Attorney Darwin Roberts recited the charges against him.

The lawyers previously expected to have a plea deal complete by the end of last month. But they are primarily hung up on whether Harris-Moore will be allowed to participate in book or movie deals, with all proceeds being used to repay victims, Browne said.

Harris-Moore's restitution will total about $1.3 million, Browne said, and movie or book deals could cover most or all of it. He said federal prosecutors have expressed reluctance in recent days to let Harris-Moore sell his story because it could compound the publicity he has received. But he said talks on the issue are progressing.

The U.S. attorney's office in Seattle does not discuss plea negotiations, and Roberts declined to comment.

"I have a problem with the U.S. government telling anybody they can't tell their story," Browne said.

Browne doesn't dispute the allegations against his client. He has long maintained that Harris-Moore, who earned the "Barefoot Bandit" moniker by committing some of his crimes without shoes, has no interest in profiting from his tale but would be interested in selling his story if it meant his victims could be repaid.

Many of the losses sustained by burglary or theft victims were covered by insurance companies, which could be in line for a share of publicity deal proceeds.

A new indictment returned last month added bank burglary to the list of federal charges against Harris-Moore. His other charges include interstate transportation of a stolen plane, gun, and boat; being a fugitive in possession of a firearm; and piloting an aircraft without a valid airman's certificate.

The new indictment also contains language requiring Harris-Moore to forfeit "any and all intellectual property or other proprietary rights belonging to the defendant" based on his publication or dissemination of his tale.