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Lake Co. pilot pleads guilty to landing plane on golf course

A Lake Villa man who landed his airplane on a golf course pleaded guilty to a pair of misdemeanor charges Wednesday in Lake County Circuit Court.

Robert Kadera, 66, pleaded guilty to criminal trespass to property and disorderly conduct during a hearing before Associate Judge Charles Johnson.

Kadera deliberately set down his ski-fitted Piper PA-16 Clipper on the snow-covered seventh fairway of the Crane's Landing Golf Course at Marriott's Lincolnshire Resort on March 1, 2008.

He told police he did so because his son was in danger of being late for a tennis lesson at the Lincolnshire Bath and Tennis Club across Route 22 from the golf course.

No one was injured and there was no significant damage to the course, but Kadera was originally charged with the misdemeanor offenses of reckless conduct and endangering the life of a child.

Assistant State's Attorney Lauren Walker said she agreed to drop those charges in exchange for Kadera's plea to the less serious charges.

Criminal trespass to property carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $1,500 fine, while disorderly conduct in punishable by a maximum of 30 days in jail and a $1,500.

Both of the original charges against Kadera carry a maximum penalty of a year in jail and a $2,500 fine.

Johnson sentenced Kadera to 18 months of court supervision and ordered him to perform 60 hours of community service. He also told Kadera to pay a $500 fine and to make a $600 contribution to Lake County Crime Stoppers.

Kadera must also abide by all requirements and administrative actions of the Federal Aviation Administration, and is to have no contact with the Marriott Lincolnshire Resort without Johnson's permission.

Robert Kadera landed his plane on a snow-covered Mariott Lincolnshire golf course in March.
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