Colton Harris-Moore, globally recognized as the "Barefoot Bandit," lives a quiet, low-profile life in the Greater Seattle area. Released from prison on parole in September 2016, he shifted entirely away from his headline-grabbing criminal past. He focuses on commercial real estate projects and regional business ventures after spending years evading international law enforcement.
The man who once stole small aircraft without formal flight training now maintains a low public profile. He stays out of the media spotlight, working ordinary jobs and complying with all terms of his post-prison release.
Rise of the Barefoot Bandit
Born in March 1991 in Mount Vernon, Washington, Harris-Moore grew up in an impoverished and turbulent environment. By the time he reached his mid-teens, local law enforcement tied him to numerous local burglaries in San Juan County and surrounding areas. His methods earned him his infamous moniker because he frequently committed crimes without shoes or walked barefoot through wilderness areas to evade police tracking dogs.
What began as localized break-ins targeting vacant vacation homes escalated rapidly. He stole luxury cars, high-end speedboats, and eventually airplanes. Despite having zero professional flight instruction, he taught himself how to pilot aircraft by reading manuals and playing flight simulation video games. He stole multiple planes from small regional airports in Washington, Idaho, and Canada, routinely crash-landing them due to his lack of landing experience.
The International Manhunt and Capture
His criminal spree turned international in 2010 when he stole a Cessna 400 in Indiana and flew it over one thousand miles south, crash-landing near a mangrove swamp on Great Abaco Island in the Bahamas. The crash marked the beginning of a tense week-long island manhunt.
Local authorities and international law enforcement agencies tracked him across the island chain through a series of local burglaries and boat thefts. On July 11, 2010, Bahamian police cornered him in a high-speed water pursuit off Harbour Island. Officers shot out the engine of his getaway boat, arresting the 19-year-old fugitive at gunpoint. Law enforcement officers quickly extradited him back to the United States, where federal and state prosecutors consolidated dozens of felony charges against him.
Trial, Sentencing, and Restitution
In late 2011, a federal judge sentenced Harris-Moore to over seven years in prison, running concurrently with a state sentence. He faced over a million dollars in restitution fees for the extensive property damage and aircraft destructions he caused across multiple states and countries.
To help pay off these steep financial obligations, his defense attorney negotiated a deal to sell the exclusive movie and book rights to his life story. The proceeds went directly toward paying back victims, local airports, and private property owners whose assets he destroyed or damaged during his years on the run.
Transition to Civilian Life and Career
Following his release from a Washington state facility into a work-release program and subsequent parole, Harris-Moore took an entry-level clerical job at the law firm of his defense attorney, John Henry Browne. This initial step provided a controlled environment for him to re-enter society after spending his formative years behind bars.
Over the next few years, he transitioned out of legal clerical work and into the commercial real estate sector. Public records and professional networking profiles indicate he focuses on local property development, market research, and logistics planning within Washington State. He has consistently avoided interviews, documentaries, and public speaking offers, choosing instead to blend into everyday corporate and community life.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Colton Harris-Moore today?
He was born on March 22, 1991, making him 35 years old.
Why did people call him the Barefoot Bandit?
He earned the nickname because he often committed burglaries without shoes and occasionally left bare footprints or chalk outlines at crime scenes.
Did he ever learn how to legally fly an airplane?
While he successfully flew and crash-landed several stolen aircraft during his teenage years, he never obtained a legal pilot license or formal aviation training.
Is he still on probation or parole?
His initial multi-year parole and probation terms concluded years ago, granting him full freedom of movement within the United States after successfully completing all supervision requirements.
Where does he live now?
He resides quietly in the Greater Seattle area of Washington State, maintaining a low profile away from the public eye.
