A man who took five French tourists on a police chase of an illegal airport shuttle van in New York has pleaded guilty to felony assault in exchange for a 90-day jail term.

Ian McFarlane entered the plea Thursday in Queens. McFarlane could've faced seven years in prison had he been convicted at trial. His sentencing is Jan. 12.

Neither he nor his attorney spoke publicly afterward.

Police say McFarlane and driver Khaalis Preacher directed the tourists to their van while they sought transportation to Manhattan.

As the chase began in June 2009 outside Kennedy Airport, an officer trying to stop the van from pulling off was hurt. Police arrested the men after the van crashed into a stop sign.