Washington DC: A day in court for Douglas Mark Hughes, a U.S. Postal Service mail carrier who caused a major security scare after landing a small helicopter on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol Wednesday.
Douglas Mark Hughes
The 61-year old , faces up to four years in prison on charges of unlawfully operating an unregistered aircraft and violating national defense airspace.
Hughes told the Tampa Bay Times before his trip that he planned to deliver letters to members of Congress to draw attention to the need for campaign finance reform.
Hughes was released and is free to return to his home state of Florida, but once there, he will be subject to home detention.
On Wednesday, Police temporarily closed streets near the Capitol while they investigated and removed the aircraft. Hughes is due back in Washington for a preliminary hearing May 8th.
ventuno