In 2011, Leo Sharp, a then-87 year old horticulturist from Indiana, was arrested in Washtentaw County carrying more than 200 pounds of cocaine. He's expected to plead guilty in federal court in Detroit.
Detroit News: A plea hearing for Leo Sharp of Michigan City, Ind., is set for Tuesday in front of U.S. District Judge Nancy Edmunds, one week before the start of his trial.
Sharp was charged two years ago and accused of hauling 228 pounds of cocaine across the country for one of Mexico’s most powerful drug rings. The case involved 19 defendants and gained notoriety because of Sharp’s age and the mutton-chopped man’s colorful appearance in federal court.
During a 2011 court appearance, Sharp gave a rambling speech, telling a federal judge he was forced at gunpoint to haul the drugs, said he once owned two 747 airliners and received a Bronze Star for bravery in Italy during World War II. He also complained about hearing loss caused by cannon fire during “the war” before being cut off by U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Randon.
Prosecutors believe Sharp has been a drug mule for Mexican cartels for more than a decade. He's been charged with 18 other defendants.
According to Fox 2, Sharp was sentenced to a five-year prison term. He could have served as much as ten years if convicted at trial.
