Accused Australian drug smuggler Cassie Sainsbury has reportedly negotiated a plea deal with Colombian prosecutors, which could see her spend less than four years behind bars.
The Australian reports that 22-year-old Sainsbury elected to push for the deal rather than stand trial for charges related to the 5.8kg of cocaine found stashed in her luggage.
It’s reported that the current plea bargain stipulates a seven-year prison term, with the possibility of being cut in half pending on Sainsbury’s behaviour and adherence to education programs behind bars.
If she had elected to face trial and was found guilty, the former personal trainer may have been up for a prison sentence of more than 20 years.
Colombian authorities will rule tomorrow whether they choose to formally accept the terms of the plea deal; if it’s knocked back, her defence may have a chance to amend its terms and renegotiate.
Earlier reports claimed that Sainsbury had been offered a more lenient sentence on the condition she turn over the identities of those allegedly involved in the drug smuggling operation.
Sainsbury has publicly maintained her innocence since the drugs were found on April 11.
