Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Eugene Hasenfus
Eugene H. Hasenfus (born January 22, 1941) was an unemployed Wisconsin construction worker who got a stint as a cargo handler for the CIA. He was aboard a Fairchild C-123 cargo plane that was shot down over Nicaragua on October 5, 1986 while illegally delivering weapons to the Nicaraguan Contras. The two CIA pilots died in the crash. However, fortunately for Hasenfus, he had disobeyed orders by wearing a parachute on the mission, so he bailed out and survived to be captured by Nicaraguan government forces. He was tried and sentenced to 25 years in prison but pardoned by Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and released in December of 1986 as a goodwill gesture. His capture was significant in uncovering and publicizing the Iran-Contra Affair.
On July 10, 2000, Hasenfus was accused of indecent exposure in Brookfield, Wisconsin.
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