Man faces charges after laser pointed at Marine One with President Trump onboard

[rangerrebew]

 
Man faces charges after laser pointed at Marine One with President Trump onboard
Story by Terry Collins, USA TODAY • 12h

A man is in custody facing federal felony charges after the Secret Service accused him of aiming a laser pointer at Marine One with President Donald Trump on board.

Authorities say Jacob Samuel Winkler faces one count of aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft on Sept. 20, according to a criminal complaint filed on Sept. 22. Aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft is a federal crime and a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, if convicted.
 
Winkler was arrested sometime on Sept. 20 near the White House by U.S. Secret Service Officer Diego Santiago, who wrote the charging document. Santiago said he was monitoring the area as the helicopter was taking off from the south grounds of White House with President Trump on board.
 

Santiago said he noticed Winkler, walking shirtless on a nearby street, "talking to himself and being loud," the complaint said. The document does not state the exact time the Secret Service officer noticed the suspect. On Sept. 20, Trump attended the American Cornerstone Institute's Founder's Dinner, held at the Mount Vernon estate in Virginia. The president also played golf at the Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia, earlier in the day.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/man-faces-charges-after-laser-pointed-at-marine-one-with-president-trump-onboard/ar-AA1N5Fvy?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=HCTS&cvid=68d2790152c64559bef72ad7cfe91e5c&ei=22

[verga]

That is six kinds of stupid.

[Smokin Joe]

That is six kinds of stupid.

Considering lasers can herald someone targeting the aircraft (leading to unnecessary evasive maneuvers), 'dazzling' (visual impairment, though temporary, at a critical time in the flight) and even cause permanent damage to the pilot's eyes, no, not stupid at all.
https://www.safety.af.mil/Divisions/Aviation-Safety-Division/Laser-Incidents/

Doing it is the stupid part.

[verga]

Considering lasers can herald someone targeting the aircraft (leading to unnecessary evasive maneuvers), 'dazzling' (visual impairment, though temporary, at a critical time in the flight) and even cause permanent damage to the pilot's eyes, no, not stupid at all.
https://www.safety.af.mil/Divisions/Aviation-Safety-Division/Laser-Incidents/

Doing it is the stupid part.

That is what I was referring to.

[GtHawk]

Yes, pointing a laser at an aircraft is a federal crime in the United States, a felony under 18 U.S. Code § 39A, punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also imposes civil penalties, which can be up to $11,000 per violation, for violations of Federal Aviation Regulations.

Let’s hope the idiot gets the full five years.

[Smokin Joe]

That is what I was referring to.

Thanks for clearing that up.