2 months ago
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FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - A antheral from Colorado was arrested Wednesday aft helium allegedly pointed a laser pointer astatine a Fresno County Sheriff's helicopter, the U.S. Department of Justice said.
The DOJ says 66-year-old Martin Joseph Avila of Longmont, Colorado, aimed the beam of the laser astatine the sheriff's helicopter, named Eagle 1, betwixt May 28 and 29 successful 2024.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), laser vulnerability tin effect successful ocular impairment and, therefore, poses a important hazard to craft operations. In 2024, the DOJ says the FAA received 12,840 reports of laser strikes from pilots.
Avila was arrested successful Colorado connected Wednesday and was ordered to look successful national tribunal successful Fresno connected April 16, according to the DOJ.
