‘Bored’ man sentenced to 21 months . . .

[Bob Of Burleson]

. . .for aiming laser pointer
at police helicopter

By Gail Sullivan
The Washington Post

Los Angeles Police Air Support Division helicopter pilots listen to law enforcement agents as they announce a 60-day FBI campaign, “Don’t Let a Prank Lead to Prison, Aiming a Laser at an Aircraft is a Federal Crime,” to publicize the problem of pointing lasers to aircraft at the Los Angeles International Airport on Feb. 11, 2014. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Twenty-six year-old Brett Lee Scott told authorities he was “bored” when he decided to aim two high power laser pointers at police aircraft last year. The green and purple beams disoriented the pilots and caused temporary blindness. Lee was busted and signed a plea deal with prosecutors in May.

On Monday, a federal judge in California sentenced Scott to 21 months in prison followed by three years of probation.

Scott’s lasers weren’t the type used in classrooms or as cat toys. Both exceeded the legal limit – one was 17 times stronger than allowed. Powerful handheld laser beams can travel more than a mile, causing problems for police and medical aircraft that fly at lower altitudes.

Convex airplane windows and night vision goggles, which pilots sometimes wear so they can see better, can amplify the beam.

“This is a truly senseless crime, and a very serious one,” U.S. Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner said in a press release. “Defendants like Mr. Scott, who thoughtlessly point lasers at an aircraft for their short-sighted amusement, put lives at risk and create the very real possibility that a needless tragedy will occur.

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[LibraryLady]

“This is a truly senseless crime, and a very serious one,” U.S. Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner said in a press release. “Defendants like Mr. Scott, who thoughtlessly point lasers at an aircraft for their short-sighted amusement, put lives at risk and create the very real possibility that a needless tragedy will occur.

Good for the judge!