Almost two years after off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot Joseph Emerson tried to shut off a plane’s engine midflight, the California man has pleaded guilty to related charges in Portland, Ore., as part of a plea agreement with federal prosecutors.

Emerson also has a plea hearing on state charges Friday afternoon, where he is expected to enter a no-contest plea as part of an agreement with state prosecutors, according to The Associated Press. He wants to take responsibility for his actions and hopes to avoid further time behind bars, his attorney Noah Horst told the AP.

During a Friday morning hearing at U.S. District Court in Portland, Emerson pleaded guilty to one count of interfering with flight crew members and attendants, a felony. Federal prosecutors plan to recommend that Emerson serv

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