The Disappearance Of FBI's Most Wanted 16 Year Old
Vince Vintage・2 minutes read
A 16-year-old named Colton stole multiple planes and committed various felonies due to a troubled background and influences from other criminals. Despite an extensive criminal spree and evasion from authorities, Colton eventually faced legal consequences and was ordered to pay restitution while his attorney emphasized his difficult upbringing for a more lenient sentence, leading to a low-profile life post-release.
Insights
- Colton, a troubled teenager, engaged in a spree of thefts and daring escapes, evading authorities for years due to his challenging background and thrill-seeking behavior fueled by video games and a desire for adventure.
- Despite facing serious charges and a potential lengthy prison sentence, Colton's attorney successfully utilized his difficult upbringing to secure a relatively lenient six-year sentence, allowing him to distance himself from his criminal past and maintain a low profile, leaving his current whereabouts unknown.
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Recent questions
How did Colton evade the FBI for three years?
By stealing airplanes and committing felonies in multiple countries, Colton managed to evade the FBI for three years. His daring escapes, including robbing vacation homes in the San Juan Islands and stealing cars and boats, allowed him to stay one step ahead of law enforcement. His criminal activities escalated as his mother's addiction worsened, leading to his arrest for identity theft. Despite facing a manhunt and increased security measures, Colton's thrill from stealing, fueled by video games and a troubled background, kept him on the run.
What led to Colton's nickname "Barefoot Bandit"?
Colton earned the nickname "Barefoot Bandit" by breaking into grocery stores, stealing cash, and leaving footprints behind. His criminal activities, fueled by a troubled upbringing and thrill-seeking behavior, escalated as he evaded law enforcement and government agencies. Despite outsmarting armed bounty hunters and escaping to the Bahamas after stealing a plane, Colton's daring escapes and high-speed chases led to his eventual capture by Bahamian police.
How did Colton's attorney influence his sentencing?
Colton's attorney highlighted his difficult home life with an alcoholic and abusive mother to garner sympathy from the court, resulting in a six-year sentence. Despite facing potential charges for multiple felonies and thefts, Colton's troubled background and troubled upbringing played a significant role in shaping his defense strategy. The court's decision to sentence him to six years reflected a balance between his criminal activities and the mitigating factors of his past.
What was the outcome of Colton's legal case?
Colton faced numerous charges for stealing airplanes, cars, and homes, leading to a potential 20 to 30 years in prison. However, he hired a renowned attorney, John Henry Brown, who negotiated a deal for Colton to pay $1.4 million in restitution and sell the rights to his life story for $1 million to Fox Entertainment. This agreement prohibited Colton from profiting from his story in the future and aimed to compensate his victims fully. Despite the legal repercussions, Colton's attorney's defense strategy and the court's decision resulted in a six-year sentence for the "Barefoot Bandit."
What happened to Colton after his legal case?
A decade later, Colton has kept a low profile, distancing himself from his past as the "Barefoot Bandit." Despite attempts to contact him, his current whereabouts remain unknown. After facing legal consequences, including a six-year sentence and financial restitution, Colton seems to have moved on from his criminal activities and evasive tactics. His decision to maintain a low profile and stay out of the public eye reflects a desire to leave his troubled past behind and start anew.
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Summary
00:00
Teen Thief: Evading FBI in Crime Spree
- Colton, a 16-year-old, stole six airplanes and committed 67 felonies in three countries, evading the FBI for three years.
- Colton's troubled background involved an alcoholic mother, absent father, and living in poverty in a trailer park.
- Harley, a former juvenile hall inmate, taught Colton burglary techniques, leading to a spree of thefts.
- Colton's thrill from stealing was fueled by playing video games, eating well, and taking spare change.
- The San Juan Islands' wealth division made it easy for Colton to rob vacation homes, evading police attention.
- Colton's criminal activities escalated as his mother's addiction worsened, leading to his arrest for identity theft.
- Colton's escape from FBI custody led to a manhunt, with him evading capture for months, stealing cars and boats.
- Colton's time in juvenile jail saw him improving academically and planning a better future upon release.
- Colton's escape from the group home led to a publicized manhunt, with residents fearing his criminal activities.
- Colton's daring escapes, including stealing airplanes and boats, led to a widespread search and increased security measures.
12:53
"Barefoot Bandit: Colt's Daring Escapades"
- A rogue pilot stole a plane to impress a girl, but it was actually a kid named Colt.
- Colt began breaking into grocery stores, stealing cash, and leaving footprints, earning the nickname "Barefoot Bandit."
- He outsmarted law enforcement, government agencies, and armed bounty hunters while evading capture.
- Colt stole a racing boat, drove to Oregon, and considered selling his life story for a movie.
- An anonymous donor offered $50,000 for Colt to turn himself in, but he remained elusive.
- Colt stole cars, road-tripped to South Dakota, broke into a home, and narrowly escaped capture.
- He stole a plane, flew towards the Bermuda Triangle, ran out of gas, and crash-landed in the Bahamas.
- Colt survived in the Bahamas, evading a massive manhunt, until a local recognized him from wanted posters.
- He attempted to escape on a boat, leading to a high-speed chase and his eventual capture by Bahamian police.
- Despite facing numerous charges, Colt was fined $300 for not presenting his passport and sent back to the U.S.
26:03
Colton's Legal Battles and Redemption Story
- Colton faced a potential 20 to 30 years in prison but hired renowned attorney John Henry Brown, known for defending high-profile cases like Ted Bundy's. The court ordered Colton to pay $1.4 million in restitution for planes, cars, homes, and search operations, with the mandate to sell the rights to his life story for $1 million to Fox Entertainment to compensate victims fully, prohibiting him from profiting from his story in the future.
- Despite a troubled upbringing with an alcoholic and abusive mother, Colt's attorney highlighted his difficult home life to garner sympathy from the court, resulting in a six-year sentence. A decade later, Colt has kept a low profile, distancing himself from his past as the "Barefoot Bandit," with his current whereabouts unknown despite attempts to contact him.
