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WWII Ace's Sentencing Set

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By BILLY TOWNSEND, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 23, 2007

BARTOW - Abner Aust, an 86-year-old retired Air Force colonel and certified fighter ace, will be sentenced Dec. 4 on a probation violation charge.

Judge Randall McDonald set the hearing Monday morning at the Polk County Courthouse.

Aust has been incarcerated since 2000, when he was convicted of solicitation of arson for trying to have his ex-wife's house torched.

In 2002, he was convicted of solicitation of murder while in prison after offering to pay a convict or his brother to kill his ex-wife, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors say the second conviction violated the probation of his first conviction. He has been returned to Polk County to answer for that charge and could face 15 additional years in prison.

Aust's attorney, Byron Hileman, said his client will not dispute the probation violation. Hileman said thinks Aust's age and military record argue for leniency.

He plans to ask for probation. Hileman said he also will commission a psychological examination of Aust in the hope of showing he wouldn't be a threat to the community if released.

Aust flew P-51 Mustangs and jet fighters during a 30-year career that spanned World War II and the Vietnam War.

Reporter Billy Townsend can be reached at (863) 284-1409 or wtownsend@tampatrib.com.

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