There is just a wee bit difference between a dime bag and 10 tons... While trying to sell l the government the boats that will supposedly catch you... I suppose there were a few in govt. that saw that as Ben asking for the roofies to rape their daughters, I just don't think it went over well....

Not really. Lol.

Of course there is money hidden, his dad was the brains behind the money and he got a fine and a suspended sentence so he has been babysitting the money for decades.

The catch is going to be accessing it/spending it......Govt. is going to be realllllly suspicious if Ben starts flaunting wealth while working a halfway house job for $10 an hour!

I would think at this point, Ben will be thrilled to be out of the box he has lived in for the last 25+ years........it has to do some mental damage for sure thinking you were never getting out (life sentence).

NEWS
NATION : 10 Years in Failed Copter Escape
April 13, 1990 | From Times Wire Services
A former champion race boat driver was sentenced today to 10 years and five months in federal prison for attempting a dramatic helicopter escape from a federal prison. Benjamin (Barry) Kramer, 34, will serve the sentence consecutive with a life term stemming from a drug smuggling conviction in Illinois in 1986, said U.S. District Judge James Kehoe.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...77161500,d.cWc


http://articles.latimes.com/1990-04-...1_bicycle-club

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...77161500,d.cWc

7I doubt it, I mean other then money what did he ever dring to the biz/sport? Near as I can tell he was a rock star boat racer type that was at least smart enough to finance the greatest talent avaliable of the day. Although I would suppose if he teamed up with Bobby and knocked out a hand full of special edition wave crushers there would no doubt be buyers.

Did he plead or go to trial and was found guilty ? How many different charges did he plead or was found guilty, and was it ion only in the Federal Court, and or was found guilty by a Judge in the 11th Circuit Court in Florida (I am assuming he had Dade County charges). With those answers, the next question, is what were the sentences handed down by each Judge, sentenced to be run concurrent or consecutively ?

I am making an assumption the there was a global settlement, meaning all the charges from all the different courts and counties were consolidated to one big mess and dealt with at the Federal Level, but I could be completely wrong, I do not practice law in Florida, or in the Federal system, but I do know a thing or two about criminal law, and the court system (not as a defendant) as a pleader (attorney)...

This may be very interesting thread, and each time one of the OSO community post about Ben Kramer there is alot strong opinion, and speculation. I am neutral, I neither like nor dislike the man, he did wrong, he got caught, the 1980's were pretty wild, it is the past, we move on, time does not stand still...He paid his debt, I am a forgiving person, so set the man free, he is old, and if he violates the terms of he is parole, then he is toast. My $.02 opinion.

With those questions answered, then if and when he gets released will be much easier to determine/speculate.

What is a thread without pictures, Warpath is one of my all-time favorite boats, then I had to include Firewater and Island Runner two local boats, then Ike's 41', I find a picture of Ed Stella's 41' - I would have posted that too, and some other assorted and random Apache pictures. There were some LEGENDARY boats built by Apache...how can you not like Apache boats, really ?

Some nice pics Smarty. Pics from when offshore boats were run offshore.

I agree, legendary, Apache Heritage, is an other, I know that was redone and is now an orange colored boat. I wonder what Ben Kramer thinks about all this fuss on OSO when his name comes up ? It would be very interesting to speak with him, not about the convictions, but just about the boats, the boat business as he remembered it, and offshore racing. I am sure there are some very interesting stories and drama from the past criminal conduct, but as I tell all of my clients, keep your mouth shut.....

IMSA
International Marijuana Smuglers Assocciation

i like this pic