NEW YORK - An inmate trying to get attention for his case paid a pilot to fly a banner over a New York City jail complex.

The New York Post (http://nyp.st/p34KHX ) says Vadim Vassilenko rented the Cessna 172 Skyhawk on Tuesday. The 100-foot banner read: "V. Vassilenko jailed 5+ yrs - no trial - is this legal?"

He's been at the Manhattan Detention Complex since 2007 on charges of selling stolen credit card numbers as part of an international cybercrime ring.

The plane rents for $1,250 for two hours, and the pilot says Vassilenko had someone on the outside wire him the money.

Vassilenko faces deportation after his case is adjudicated. His immigration lawyer, Merrill Cohen, says his client wants to be with his family in Ukraine.