May 15—A 31-year-old Wallace, Idaho, man who attempted to take over a private plane at the La Crosse Regional Airport in November will spend the next four years in an institution.
Cody A. Anderson was found incompetent to stand trial in April. La Crosse County Circuit Court judge Scott Horne accepted a medical assessment that Anderson wasn't responsible for his actions and entered a not guilty verdict by reason of mental defect or disease. He handed down his commitment order May 10.
Anderson faced multiple felony counts after he reportedly boarded a private aircraft that was preparing for a trip to Ohio. He pleaded guilty to a single felony count of attempted armed robbery by use of force. Four other felony charges were dropped.
According to prosecutors, Anderson gained access to the runway by driving through a fence before he entered the unoccupied plane. He entered the cockpit and was reportedly "one or two buttons" away from putting the aircraft into motion.
The standoff lasted an hour before Anderson surrendered. He has been held in the La Crosse County Jail since the incident.
Anderson has also settled a separate case in Vernon County, where he reportedly drove through a cornfield Oct. 31, 2023, and damaged property. He pleaded guilty April 3 to a civil charge of criminal damage to property. A felony charge of possession of narcotic drugs and a misdemeanor charge of possession of drug paraphernalia were dropped.
La Crosse Tribune reporter Steve Rundio can be reached at [email protected].
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