FRESNO, CA—Sergio Patrick Rodriguez, 26, of Clovis, California, was sentenced today to 14 years in prison for aiming a laser pointer at Fresno police helicopter Air 1, and attempting to interfere with its operation, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced. Calling him a “walking crime spree,” United States District Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill said the crime was serious with potentially deadly consequences.
Rodriguez and his girlfriend, Jennifer Lorraine Coleman, 23, were both convicted by a federal jury after a three–day trial in Fresno in December 2013.
According to evidence presented at trial, Rodriguez and Coleman used a high-powered green laser pointer to repeatedly strike the cockpit of Air 1 during a clear summer night in 2012. Air 1 had responded to the apartment complex where Rodriguez and Coleman resided near the Fresno Yosemite International Airport to investigate the report of laser strikes on Air George, an emergency transport helicopter for Children’s Hospital of Central California. The laser pointer that Rodriguez and Coleman used was 13 times more powerful than the permissible power emission level for hand-held laser devices. The crew members of both Air 1 and Air George testified that the laser strikes caused significant visual interference.
In imposing the sentence, Judge O’Neill considered not only the severity of the offenses but Rodriguez’s significant criminal history, numerous probation violations, and Bulldog gang affiliation. In addition, Dr. Leon McLin, a senior research optometrist for the Air Force Research Laboratory who testified at trial, indicated at sentencing that the laser pointer that Rodriguez used was an instrument capable of inflicting serious bodily injury and, indirectly, death due to a high potential for crash caused by visual interference.
“We in federal law enforcement understand the dangers posed by laser strikes on aircraft,” U.S. Attorney Wagner stated. “This is not a game. It is dangerous, and it is a felony. Those who aim lasers at aircraft should know that we will seek to convict them, and we will seek to send them to prison. The safety of aircraft and the people in them demands no less.”
“Lasing aircraft is not a joke or a casual prank. It is reckless behavior that can have fatal consequences for air crew, passengers and the public on the ground,” said Special Agent in Charge Monica M. Miller of the FBI’s Sacramento field office. “Rodriguez’s sentence clearly demonstrates the seriousness of his actions and that the FBI will work with its law enforcement partners to locate and arrest those who engage in dangerous, improper use of hand-held lasers that puts us all at risk.”
“Deliberately pointing a laser at an aircraft is a criminal act with serious safety repercussions,” said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta. “We applaud law enforcement agencies and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their efforts to combat this serious problem.”
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Clovis and Fresno Police Departments, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Assistant United States Attorneys Karen A. Escobar and Michael G. Tierney are prosecuting the case.
Sentencing for co-defendant Coleman is set for May 12, 2014. She faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
According to the FAA, there were 3,960 reports of people shining lasers at aircraft in the United States in 2013. The Eastern District of California, which encompasses 34 counties in the eastern portion of California, reported 94 laser strikes, with the largest number of laser incidents reported by the Fresno Yosemite International Airport and Bakersfield Meadows Field Airport. Law enforcement and emergency transport helicopters are particularly vulnerable, since they typically fly at lower altitudes. Their convex-shaped windows also cause greater refraction and visual interference when the beam of a laser strikes. Night-vision goggles can also amplify the beam and pose a greater threat of visual interference.
On February 11, 2014, in 12 cities, the FBI, in collaboration with the Air Line Pilots Association International and the FAA, announced the Laser Threat Awareness campaign, a nationwide effort to alert the public to the threat that aircraft laser illumination poses and the penalties for such activity. The FBI will offer up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of any individual who intentionally aims a laser at an aircraft. If you have information about a laser strike, contact your local FBI office. Tips can also be submitted online at https://tips.fbi.gov. If you see someone pointing a laser at an aircraft, call 911.
- See related story for additional information, including photos, videos, flyers, and a public service announcement: Protecting Aircraft from Lasers
Showing posts with label laser. Show all posts
Showing posts with label laser. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Henderson Man Charged with Aiming Laser Pointer at Police Helicopter
LAS VEGAS—A Henderson, Nevada man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for aiming a laser pointer at a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) helicopter on six occasions during January and February 2014, announced Daniel G. Bogden, United States Attorney for the District of Nevada.
James David Zipf, 30, is charged with six counts of aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft on January 30, January 31, February 3, February 7, February 8, and February 12, 2014 and is scheduled to appear before United States Magistrate Judge Nancy J. Koppe, at 3:00 p.m. today for an initial appearance and arraignment and plea. If convicted, Zipf faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count.
“Congress enacted a new federal statute in 2012 dealing with laser strikes, which makes it a felony to knowingly target an aircraft with a laser,” said U.S. Attorney Bogden. “We have partnered with our local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to catch individuals who are engaging in this dangerous behavior, which can disorient and temporarily blind a pilot. If you have information about a lasing incident or see someone pointing a laser at an aircraft, call your local FBI field office or dial 911.
Since the FBI and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) began tracking laser strikes in 2005, statistics reflect a more than 1,100 percent increase in the deliberate targeting of aircraft by people with handheld lasers. In 2013, there were a total of 3,960 laser strikes reported—an average of almost 11 incidents per day.
This case is being investigated by the FBI and LVMPD, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Roger Yang.
The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
James David Zipf, 30, is charged with six counts of aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft on January 30, January 31, February 3, February 7, February 8, and February 12, 2014 and is scheduled to appear before United States Magistrate Judge Nancy J. Koppe, at 3:00 p.m. today for an initial appearance and arraignment and plea. If convicted, Zipf faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count.
“Congress enacted a new federal statute in 2012 dealing with laser strikes, which makes it a felony to knowingly target an aircraft with a laser,” said U.S. Attorney Bogden. “We have partnered with our local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to catch individuals who are engaging in this dangerous behavior, which can disorient and temporarily blind a pilot. If you have information about a lasing incident or see someone pointing a laser at an aircraft, call your local FBI field office or dial 911.
Since the FBI and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) began tracking laser strikes in 2005, statistics reflect a more than 1,100 percent increase in the deliberate targeting of aircraft by people with handheld lasers. In 2013, there were a total of 3,960 laser strikes reported—an average of almost 11 incidents per day.
This case is being investigated by the FBI and LVMPD, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Roger Yang.
The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Laser Incidents Targeting Aircraft on the Rise Nationwide; Incidents Up 39 Percent in New York Last Year
The FBI is offering new reward money for information that leads to the arrest of anyone who aims or has aimed a laser at an aircraft. The new reward is being issued as a result of a dramatic rise in reported laser incidents. Since the FBI began tracking laser strikes in 2005, statistics reflect a more than 1,100 percent increase nationwide in the deliberate targeting of aircraft by people with hand-held lasers. Laser incidents in New York were up 39 percent from 2012 to 2013.
In an effort to raise public awareness about the issue, the FBI has launched a targeted regional reward program, which will run for 60 days in 12 FBI field offices. As part of the pilot program, the FBI will offer a reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to the arrest of any individual who aims a laser at an aircraft.
Many of the New York laser incidents have injured pilots and their crews. The latest injury was reported on December 26, 2013, by a JetBlue pilot on approach to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. The JetBlue pilot experienced blurry vision for over a week after being temporarily blinded by a laser.
“Laser incidents are often viewed as harmless acts; this couldn’t be further from the truth. A laser pointed at a plane’s cockpit could blind a pilot and down an aircraft,” said Assistant Director in Charge George Venizelos. “We are asking anyone who knows anything about the recent spate of incidents to pick up the phone and call the FBI for the safety of all who fly.”
Number of reported laser incidents in the New York area:
In an effort to raise public awareness about the issue, the FBI has launched a targeted regional reward program, which will run for 60 days in 12 FBI field offices. As part of the pilot program, the FBI will offer a reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to the arrest of any individual who aims a laser at an aircraft.
Many of the New York laser incidents have injured pilots and their crews. The latest injury was reported on December 26, 2013, by a JetBlue pilot on approach to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. The JetBlue pilot experienced blurry vision for over a week after being temporarily blinded by a laser.
“Laser incidents are often viewed as harmless acts; this couldn’t be further from the truth. A laser pointed at a plane’s cockpit could blind a pilot and down an aircraft,” said Assistant Director in Charge George Venizelos. “We are asking anyone who knows anything about the recent spate of incidents to pick up the phone and call the FBI for the safety of all who fly.”
Number of reported laser incidents in the New York area:
- 2010: 52
- 2011: 97
- 2012: 71
- 2013: 99
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Clovis Man Sentenced for Aiming Laser at Sheriff Helicopter
FRESNO, CA—Charles Conrad Mahaffey, 23, of Clovis, was sentenced today to 21 months in prison for aiming a laser pointer at a Fresno County Sheriff’s Office helicopter, U.S. Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.
Mahaffey’s sentence follows his guilty plea last November. According to court documents, Mahaffey deliberately tracked and struck Eagle 1, a Fresno County Sheriff’s Office helicopter, with a powerful red laser while the aircraft was assisting ground units on a call for a domestic disturbance. As a result, the pilot was distracted by the intense light and forced to break away from the call. The pilot reported the laser strikes to Air Traffic Control at the Fresno Yosemite International Airport and, with the help of the Clovis Police Department, was able to locate the source of the laser and identify Mahaffey as the suspect. In pleading guilty, Mahaffey admitted he knew it was a crime to point the laser at an aircraft but stated he “just can’t help himself from doing stupid things.”
“Shining a hand-held laser at an aircraft in flight is a serious, illegal act that puts both air crew and the public on the ground at serious risk,” said Special Agent in Charge Monica M Miller of the Sacramento Division of the FBI. “Hand-held lasers are well labeled to inform owners of their potential risk to health and safety, cautioning owners against improper use. Ignorance is no excuse for such reckless action, and we are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to locate and identify individuals who have total disregard for life and safety.”
“The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office Air Support Unit provides critical support to the public and to all law enforcement agencies in the region,” stated Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims. “The illegal use of a laser creates a severe danger to our deputies in the helicopter and, in turn, the public at large. This crime could have had disastrous results.”
Laser beams pose a serious safety hazard to flight operations. The focused beams of a laser remain powerful at extended viewing distances and can expose pilots and their crew members and passengers to radiation 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 blindness and after images. Prolonged exposure to high-powered laser beams can and has resulted in permanent eye injury. In 2013, there were 3,960 laser illumination incidents reported to the Federal Aviation Administration, an average of 10.85 strikes per day. Airports in the 34 counties of the Eastern District of California reported 94 laser strikes in 2013, or more than seven laser illumination incidents per month. The Fresno Yosemite International Airport and Meadows Field Airport reported the highest number of laser illuminations, followed by the Sacramento International Airport.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Clovis Police Department, and Fresno County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen A. Escobar prosecuted the case.
Mahaffey’s sentence follows his guilty plea last November. According to court documents, Mahaffey deliberately tracked and struck Eagle 1, a Fresno County Sheriff’s Office helicopter, with a powerful red laser while the aircraft was assisting ground units on a call for a domestic disturbance. As a result, the pilot was distracted by the intense light and forced to break away from the call. The pilot reported the laser strikes to Air Traffic Control at the Fresno Yosemite International Airport and, with the help of the Clovis Police Department, was able to locate the source of the laser and identify Mahaffey as the suspect. In pleading guilty, Mahaffey admitted he knew it was a crime to point the laser at an aircraft but stated he “just can’t help himself from doing stupid things.”
“Shining a hand-held laser at an aircraft in flight is a serious, illegal act that puts both air crew and the public on the ground at serious risk,” said Special Agent in Charge Monica M Miller of the Sacramento Division of the FBI. “Hand-held lasers are well labeled to inform owners of their potential risk to health and safety, cautioning owners against improper use. Ignorance is no excuse for such reckless action, and we are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to locate and identify individuals who have total disregard for life and safety.”
“The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office Air Support Unit provides critical support to the public and to all law enforcement agencies in the region,” stated Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims. “The illegal use of a laser creates a severe danger to our deputies in the helicopter and, in turn, the public at large. This crime could have had disastrous results.”
Laser beams pose a serious safety hazard to flight operations. The focused beams of a laser remain powerful at extended viewing distances and can expose pilots and their crew members and passengers to radiation 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 blindness and after images. Prolonged exposure to high-powered laser beams can and has resulted in permanent eye injury. In 2013, there were 3,960 laser illumination incidents reported to the Federal Aviation Administration, an average of 10.85 strikes per day. Airports in the 34 counties of the Eastern District of California reported 94 laser strikes in 2013, or more than seven laser illumination incidents per month. The Fresno Yosemite International Airport and Meadows Field Airport reported the highest number of laser illuminations, followed by the Sacramento International Airport.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Clovis Police Department, and Fresno County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen A. Escobar prosecuted the case.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Federal Bureau of Investigation and Federal Aviation Administration Join Forces Against Aircraft Laser Strikes in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
SAN JUAN—The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) San Juan Field Office and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are combining efforts with federal and local law enforcement authorities in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to raise awareness of laser strikes against aircraft in the islands.
The FBI conducts criminal investigations of aircraft laser strike incidents. Shining a laser at an aircraft or its flight path is a felony offense under Title 18, United States Code, Section 39A. If found guilty, offenders face a fine of up to $250,000 and five years’ imprisonment.
“Shining a laser at an aircraft is a senseless act which places the lives of aircrews and passengers who travel to and from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands at risk,” said Carlos Cases, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office. “Our office is committed to investigating these reports and working with federal law enforcement partners to identify and bring offenders to justice.”
The Federal Aviation Administration enforces stiff civil penalties of $11,000 per violation against persons who point lasers at aircraft. Since the FAA announced this initiative, the agency has opened 129 enforcement cases against persons who aimed laser devices at aircraft.
From January 1 to September 6, 2013, a total of 2,711 laser incidents were reported to the FAA nationwide, 95 in Puerto Rico. In 2012, a total of 3,482 strikes were reported nationwide, 75 in Puerto Rico.
Since the FAA created the reporting system in 2005, laser strike reports have sharply increased from 300 in 2005 to 1,527 in 2009; 2,836 in 2010; and 3,591 in 2011.
The U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Puerto Rico Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies in the region assist the FBI with monitoring and reporting these incidents to identify, apprehend, and turn over criminals to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
Lasers are inexpensive to obtain, and their ranges may extend more than two miles. Pilots affected by laser strikes regularly report temporary effects including after-image, flash blindness, and temporary loss of night vision. If a flight crew member is lased, his or her ability to safely fly the aircraft is seriously compromised, endangering passengers and the public.
If you witness an individual aiming a laser at an aircraft, send an e-mail to laserreports@faa.gov. Additional information about the FAA’s laser initiative is available at: http://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/lasers/
For more information, contact:
The FBI conducts criminal investigations of aircraft laser strike incidents. Shining a laser at an aircraft or its flight path is a felony offense under Title 18, United States Code, Section 39A. If found guilty, offenders face a fine of up to $250,000 and five years’ imprisonment.
“Shining a laser at an aircraft is a senseless act which places the lives of aircrews and passengers who travel to and from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands at risk,” said Carlos Cases, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office. “Our office is committed to investigating these reports and working with federal law enforcement partners to identify and bring offenders to justice.”
The Federal Aviation Administration enforces stiff civil penalties of $11,000 per violation against persons who point lasers at aircraft. Since the FAA announced this initiative, the agency has opened 129 enforcement cases against persons who aimed laser devices at aircraft.
From January 1 to September 6, 2013, a total of 2,711 laser incidents were reported to the FAA nationwide, 95 in Puerto Rico. In 2012, a total of 3,482 strikes were reported nationwide, 75 in Puerto Rico.
Since the FAA created the reporting system in 2005, laser strike reports have sharply increased from 300 in 2005 to 1,527 in 2009; 2,836 in 2010; and 3,591 in 2011.
The U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Puerto Rico Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies in the region assist the FBI with monitoring and reporting these incidents to identify, apprehend, and turn over criminals to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
Lasers are inexpensive to obtain, and their ranges may extend more than two miles. Pilots affected by laser strikes regularly report temporary effects including after-image, flash blindness, and temporary loss of night vision. If a flight crew member is lased, his or her ability to safely fly the aircraft is seriously compromised, endangering passengers and the public.
If you witness an individual aiming a laser at an aircraft, send an e-mail to laserreports@faa.gov. Additional information about the FAA’s laser initiative is available at: http://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/lasers/
For more information, contact:
- Moises Quiñones Robles, FBI San Juan Field Office public information officer, Moises.quinones-robles@ic.fbi.gov or 787-759-1550
- Arlene Salac, FAA Public Affairs, Arlene.Salac@faa.gov or 718-553-3015
- Lymarie Llovet, U.S. Attorney District of Puerto Rico public information officer, lymarie.v.llovet@usdoj.gov or 787-340-1835
- Ricardo Castrodad, U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan public information officer, ricardo.d.castrodad@uscg.mil or 787-729-2381
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