Both prosecution and defence agreed that judicial mercy may be warranted, and asked for the maximum permissible fine instead.

A single-engine aircraft crashed into the ocean close to the Oak Island Pier at 705 Ocean Drive, North Carolina ...

The development comes days after US President Donald Trump announced sweeping new tariffs on over five dozen countries.

Both prosecution and defence agreed that judicial mercy may be warranted, and asked for the maximum permissible fine instead. Sentencing is scheduled for August 15, and Ong remains out on bail.