Eugene Hasenfus
Eugene H. Hasenfus (born
January 22,
1941 in
Florida ) is a
United States citizen who was an unemployed
construction worker from
Wisconsin who secured work as a cargo handler for the
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
He was aboard the
Fairchild C-123 cargo plane shot down over
Nicaragua on
October 5,
1986, while delivering supplies to the Nicaraguan
Contras. The two pilots died in the crash, however Hasenfus was able to
parachute to safety, having disobeyed orders by wearing a parachute on the mission. He was captured by Nicaraguan government forces, tried, and sentenced to 25 years in prison. In December 1986, he was pardoned and released by Nicaraguan President
Daniel Ortega.
Hasenfus' capture and detention helped uncover and publicize the
Iran-Contra Affair. A black book of phone numbers in the wreckage tied the plane to an operation run out of
Ilopango airbase in
El Salvador, supported by anti-Castro exile
Felix Rodriguez. Press speculation focused on former general
Jack Singlaub as the sponsor; this was encouraged by
Oliver North to divert attention from the true head:
Richard Secord.
On
July 10,
2000, Hasenfus was accused of
indecent exposure in
Brookfield, Wisconsin. He was accused a second time in January 2003, after exposing himself in the parking lot at Woodman's grocery store in
Howard, Wisconsin, and received probation. Hasenfus was accused a third time
May 25,
2005, after exposing himself in a
Wal-Mart parking lot in
Marinette County, Wisconsin. This violated his probation, and he was forced to serve jail time in
Green Bay, Wisconsin until
December 17,
2005.
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"Where are they now: Eugene Hasenfus"*
Police report of indecent exposure incident
