Pilot forced to land cocaine-laden plane gets 8 years

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Canadian pilot who landed a plane carrying 290 pounds (132 kilograms) of cocaine in Ohio because of engine problems has been sentenced to eight years in prison.

Sylvain Desjardins pleaded guilty in July to possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.

Prosecutors told The Columbus Dispatch that the federal judge considered the guilty plea when sentencing Desjardins on Friday. He had faced up to 12 years in prison.

Desjardins landed the plane at Ohio University’s airport in March because an engine began smoking. The plane was met by sheriff’s deputies, university police and federal agents.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection had tracked the Windsor, Ontario-bound twin-engine plane after it left the Bahamas.

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Desjardins’ attorney said earlier that his client had refused to co-operate with authorities.

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Information from: The Columbus Dispatch, http://www.dispatch.com

The Associated Press