Schrenker Intended Plane To Crash In The Gulf

Florida Alabama Marcus Schrenker's attorney says the Indiana pilot's airplane was supposed to crash in the Gulf not near an East Milton neighborhood.

by Jessica Taloney

Published: Fri, June 05, 2009 - 5:00 pm CST Last Updated: Fri, June 05, 2009 - 5:04 pm CST

An Indiana investment manager accused of trying to fake his own death by crashing his airplane told a judge he is guilty.

Marcus Schrenker, 38, changed his plea Friday morning, admitting he made false distress calls on January 11 before putting his small plane on autopilot and bailing out near Birmingham.

Investigators believe the bizarre plot was an attempt to run from a financial fraud investigation in his home state.

Prosecutors say Schrenker parachuted out of the airplane carrying a laptop, cell phone and a hand held GPS device. Surveillance video from a Harpersville, Alabama motel shows Schrenker carrying a back pack. Schrenker admitted he walked from the motel to a storage facility where he then picked up a motorcycle and camping equipment and drove to the KOA campground in Gasden County, Florida where he was arrested by US Marshals two days later.

Prosecutors also say they have evidence of several Google searches found on Schrenker's computer, including searches for "how to jump out of an airplane," "how to calculate a drop zone" and "requirements to get a Florida driver's license."

Schrenker's attorney, Thomas Keith, insists his client did not intend for his plane to crash near an East Milton neighborhood. Instead, he says Schrenker's plan was for the airplane to go down in the Gulf.

"There's certainly still a risk involved in that, but that was his intent," says Keith, who hopes Schrenker's guilty plea will help him get a lesser sentence.

Schrenker faces up to 20 years in prison for intentionally crashing the airplane, and six years for causing the Coast Guard to respond. Schrenker could also be slapped with up to $500,000 in fines and will likely be forced to pay the Coast Guard an additional $38,000 in expenses.

Schrenker's father, Robert, and stepmother, Clyda Schrenker, sat inside the courtroom as their son pleaded guilty. Before being escorted out by US Marshals, Schrenker told his parents "I'm Okay."

After the hearing, Schrenker's parents told reporters "we are thankful that he's taking responsibility for what he's done."

Schrenker's sentencing is scheduled for August 19th.

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