'High' flyer grounded by Homeland Security cops guilty plea

In March, Wayne Douglas Brunet was forced to land his plane at the Llano Municipal Airport by Department of Homeland Security agents. Soon, the 64-year-old may land in federal prison for up to 20 years after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute between 50 to 100 kilograms of hydroponic marijuana.

Brunet made his plea Wednesday, announced United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden, San Antonio Division.

Brunet was arrested March 20 after state authorities discovered 206 pounds of hydroponic marijuana on board his aircraft. Originally, the Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operation Center (AMOC) tracked Brunet's single-engine plane after observing a suspicious flight pattern from Medford, Oregon, to Texas, in which Brunet only landed once in Holbrook, Arizona, to refuel.

Homeland Security Investigations agents were prepared to interdict Brunet as he attempted to land at an unmanned airport in Bulverde, near San Antonio, but Brunet saw law enforcement waiting for him and took off for the Lago Vista airport, only to again abort his landing when he saw officials waiting for him.

Brunet landed his plane at about midnight March 20 at the Llano Municipal Airport and tried to flee on foot, but he was apprehended on the tarmac by Texas Department of Public Safety Air Unit troopers.

Inside the airplane, authorities recovered 15 duffle bags filled with vacuum-sealed packages of marijuana, along with approximately $5,400 in U.S. currency.

Brunet remains in federal custody awaiting sentencing. No date has been set yet.

HSI agents conducted this investigation together with assistance from CBP AMOC, Texas Department of Public Safety Air Unit and the Llano County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Devlin is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.