A Wisconsin man, Ryan Borgwardt, pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor obstruction charge for plotting to fake his death in a kayaking accident and flee the country.

He was sentenced to 89 days in jail—the time he spent misleading authorities—and ordered to pay $30,000 for the two-month search effort.

Borgwardt had researched faking a drowning, obtained a new passport, and traveled overseas, but his plan unraveled after being traced back to Georgia, NBC News has reported.

He returned to Wisconsin voluntarily and expressed regret for the distress caused to his family and friends.