US: 2.5 years in prison for Calif. man
Tue, Nov 03 2009 Filed in: Fines & Jail
A California man, the first in the U.S. to be convicted at trial for interfering with pilots by beaming lasers at planes, was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison on November 2, 2009.
Dana Christian Welch, 37, of Orange, California was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. Welch also is to serve three years of supervised release after completing his prison term, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherilyn Peace Garnett said. Read More...
Dana Christian Welch, 37, of Orange, California was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. Welch also is to serve three years of supervised release after completing his prison term, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherilyn Peace Garnett said. Read More...
US: Felony arrest for shining laser at CHP helicopter
Wed, Aug 19 2009 Filed in: Arrests | Aircraft incidents
18-year-old Dustin Brown of Carmichael, California was arrested August 19 2009 for aiming a laser at a California Highway Patrol (CHP) helicopter. He was charged with a felony; the maximum penalty under state law is three years in jail; under federal law it is 20 years and a $250,000 fine.
The story noted that “at least six other people have been busted for pointing lasers at aircraft in the Sacramento area over the past several months.”
From CBS13 news in Sacramento, CA
The story noted that “at least six other people have been busted for pointing lasers at aircraft in the Sacramento area over the past several months.”
From CBS13 news in Sacramento, CA
US: Man indicted for interfering with Southwest flight
Fri, Apr 03 2009 Filed in: Arrests
A 29-year-old man from Roseville, CA was arrested and indicted for shining a green laser at a Southwest Airlines flight and at a police helicopter looking for the source of the Southwest incident. The incident occurred on March 16 2009. On April 2, he was indicted by a grand jury.
The acting U.S. Attorney, Larry Brown, stated in a press release “Federal authorities have recognized lasing of aircraft as an increasingly serious problem and have formed a working group to investigate and prosecute offenders. This is because the focused beams of a laser remain powerful even at a long distance and can expose pilots to radiation [light] levels above those considered to be flight safe. Brief exposure to even a relatively low-powered laser beam can cause discomfort and temporary visual impairments, such as glare, flash blind, and afterimages." Read More...
The acting U.S. Attorney, Larry Brown, stated in a press release “Federal authorities have recognized lasing of aircraft as an increasingly serious problem and have formed a working group to investigate and prosecute offenders. This is because the focused beams of a laser remain powerful even at a long distance and can expose pilots to radiation [light] levels above those considered to be flight safe. Brief exposure to even a relatively low-powered laser beam can cause discomfort and temporary visual impairments, such as glare, flash blind, and afterimages." Read More...
US: Arrest, jail for pointing laser at deputy
Wed, Jan 07 2009 Filed in: Arrests | Fines & Jail
A 19-year-old was arrested and jailed for shining a laser pointer at a sheriff’s deputy.
On January 1 2009, a Hornbrook, California homeowner called the sheriff’s office about a man on the homeowner’s porch. “When deputies arrived and began to question Jonathan Lee Huellett, he allegedly pulled out a laser pointer and began shining it in the deputy’s face and on his chest. Huellett was arrested on suspicion of using the laser pointer on the deputy.” He spent the night in jail. He was released, but on January 3 was arrested again for resisting and obstructing a peace officer. [It is unclear from the story if this resulted from a separate incident, or was a charge from the original laser pointer incident.]
Four days later, when the news story was published, he remained in jail.
From the Redding (CA) Record Searchlight online, at www.redding.com
On January 1 2009, a Hornbrook, California homeowner called the sheriff’s office about a man on the homeowner’s porch. “When deputies arrived and began to question Jonathan Lee Huellett, he allegedly pulled out a laser pointer and began shining it in the deputy’s face and on his chest. Huellett was arrested on suspicion of using the laser pointer on the deputy.” He spent the night in jail. He was released, but on January 3 was arrested again for resisting and obstructing a peace officer. [It is unclear from the story if this resulted from a separate incident, or was a charge from the original laser pointer incident.]
Four days later, when the news story was published, he remained in jail.
From the Redding (CA) Record Searchlight online, at www.redding.com
US: Two years jail for a 3.3 mW laser
Fri, Oct 17 2008 Filed in: Aircraft incidents | Fines & Jail
A California man was sentenced earlier this week to two years in jail, for shining a 3.3 milliwatt laser at an aircraft. This was reported by a member of the SAE G-10T subcommittee who testified at the man’s sentencing. At this time, we do not have any additional information.
Reported by Patrick Murphy, an ILDA representative to the SAE G-10T subcommittee
Reported by Patrick Murphy, an ILDA representative to the SAE G-10T subcommittee