Hughes argued that his flight caused no injury or damage, and did more good than harm by focusing public attention on the corrupting influence of money in politics.
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Once he serves his 120-day sentence, Hughes will undergo a year of supervision, during which the Justice Department said he will have to stay away from the Capitol and the White House.
Hughes said his intentions were to deliver letters to members of Congress to push for campaign finance overhaul.
Hughes, who performed the stunt as a protest of government corruption, was facing a possible nine years in jail for multiple charges, including operating as a pilot without a pilot’s license, violating aircraft registration requirements, and violating national defense airspace.
In previous court proceedings, Kollar-Kotelly denied a request by Hughes to join demonstrators with the self-described Democracy Spring movement, who marched from Philadelphia to Washington.
Hughes has been confined mainly to his home Hillsborough County, Fla.
In a court document they filed ahead of the sentencing hearing, they argued Hughes” flight “put unsuspecting people in real danger, disrupted operations at the United States Capitol, and demonstrated a profound disrespect for the law and the legitimate rights of others’. Hughes “craved attention” and “violated important public safety laws because he wanted people to pay attention to his political views”, prosecutors wrote.
No one was injured as Hughes’ flying machine swooped on one of the most heavily guarded sites in the US. His attorneys also stressed that the “freedom flight” was a nonviolent act of “civil disobedience” and that he has no criminal history.
Hughes said in the future he would not repeat what prosecutors called a “reckless act”, and would instead promote his message via other avenues.
The case has also dashed Hughes’ hopes to run for Congress. Just prior to his sentencing, he told CQ Roll Call he was dropping the idea of challenging incumbent Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz in Florida’s 23rd District.
Kollar-Kotelly disagreed, saying Hughes “was not in that league”.
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Hughes has said he started his campaign against money in politics as he was seeking a goal in life following the suicide of his 24-year-old son.
