Md. homeless man who stole, crashed small plane did $12,000 in damage _ but will pay just $40

Md. man who stole, crashed plane to pay just $40

FREDERICK, Md. — A homeless man caused about $12,000 in damage when he stole and crashed a single-engine airplane at a Maryland airport — but he’ll pay just $40 in restitution.

Frederick County Circuit Judge G. Edward Dwyer Jr. expressed surprise Thursday upon learning of the small amount.

Dwyer asked: “Only $40?”

Prosecutors explained that insurance had paid for all the damage except for a $40 deductible.

Fifty-one-year-old Calvin C. Cox has served half of his nine-month sentence for the December theft. His lawyer has said Cox stole the plane because he was homeless and cold.

At sentencing in April, Dwyer authorized work release for Cox so he could earn money to pay restitution to the plane’s owner, Mid Atlantic Soaring Associates Corp.

Information from: The Frederick (Md.) News-Post, www.fredericknewspost.com