A California man's ill-fated attempt to parachute from a television tower could end up bankrupt from paying for his rescue.

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John Agnos's stunt ended in confusion when his chute became entangled with a guy wire and he slid until a cross-wire stopped him, the Sacramento Bee reported. He used his cell phone to call for help and then hung above a corn field outside Sacramento for five hours until firefighters rigged a pulley system to get him down.

Agnos, who made the jump to mark his 41st birthday, told rescuers he has titanium rods in his body from earlier injuries.

Mark Rogerson, Walnut Grove fire commissioner, told the Bee that the only charge Agnos is likely to face is trespassing. But Rogerson and other officials want him to pay for the rescue, which involved firefighters from four departments.

"He could end up bankrupt and walk away with a misdemeanor," Rogerson said.