Story highlights Douglas Hughes pleaded guilty to a felony charge of operating as an airman without an airman's certificate

He originally faced nine-and-a-half years in prison

Washington (CNN) A postal carrier who flew a gyrocopter onto the grounds of the U.S. Capitol last year to protest big money in politics was sentenced to 120 days in jail Thursday, the Department of Justice said.

Douglas Hughes pleaded guilty in November to a felony charge of operating as an airman without an airman's certificate, accepting a plea deal that included the forfeiture of his gyrocopter. He originally faced nine-and-a-half years in prison.

"Douglas Hughes intentionally violated one of the most secure and restricted airspaces in the world, placing himself and countless others at risk," U.S. Attorney Channing Phillips said in a statement.

Hughes told CNN Thursday he had no regrets and said he would keep pursuing campaign finance reform.

"I'll serve my time and I won't give anybody any flack about that. The day I get back, I'll go back to getting money out of politics," Hughes said.

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