Teen Sentenced to Prison For Lasering a Helicopter

[Guest]

I would like to know how they found his car, proved that the laser pointer in question was the one used and who used it.
seems like a large sentence with no evidence. Sure he could have done it, but if someone else was pulled over and a search found a laser pointer in there car would they be the one in jail for this incident?

 

[extremepcs]

$1,000 fine and 1 night in the slammer with someone who "cuddled" with him would have been more than enough to make him never do it again... Now the taxpayers get to foot the bill for a year of prison. It doesn't make any sense, unless he is a repeat offender or something.

 

[lotri]

If you guys read the article, it states that the helicopter belonged to the CHP and it was being used to investigate some burglary. The article also states that the aircraft was flying at 700 feet.

And well... aircraft are under the jurisdiction of the FAA, which is a federal organization. That would make any interference with the operation of an aircraft a federal crime, which is why he's going to federal prison. And apparently, this crime was a felony, which would explain the 15-month sentence.

 

[jfby]

[citation][nom]LORD_ORION[/nom]Seriously, something is wrong when a multi-million dollar hightech vehicle can be taken out by a $50 dollar laser pointer.[/citation]

Ever heard of a rifle? More expensive than $50, but you get my point. Just because something is expensive doesn't mean it's impervious to any form of attack. Often the exact opposite is true.

 

[scrumworks]

Only nerd in this story is the chopper pilot who wanted to do harm to kid because of negligible prank.

 

[ArgleBargle]

Ramon's lawyer probably got his law degree from a Cracker Jack box.

 

[Yoder54]

[citation][nom]dustcrusher[/nom] The chopper pilots report being blinded by "a bright green light."[/citation]

Hmm... sounds like a UFO, with the potential for alien abduction.

 

[random_guy417]

[citation][nom]geofry[/nom]For those of you who keep going on about the harsh sentence for a little flash don't seem to understand the problem. This isn't the same as that dumbass shining the pointer in your eyes while you are driving a car. The car half drives itself anyway, as long as you stayed in your lane you'd be fine. A pilot that can't see can't fly...period. [/citation]

You are wrong on all counts. If a pilot can't see for a second or two, 1) there is probably a co-pilot right there to take control, and 2) he has a lot more space to use without running into something. Someone driving a car has much less room for error. If a laser pointer blinded me for even a second while driving, it would be probable that I could not stay in the lane that is only 2-4 feet wider than the vehicle I am driving, and if the guy in front of me decides to stop for any reason, I am running into him. It is LESS dangerous to shine a laser pointer at someone flying than someone driving. That doesn't mean it is not dangerous, but it is definitely much more dangerous.

When someone shines their laser pointer in the eyes of someone driving an 18-wheeler on the crowded interstate during rush hour traffic when everyone is going 70+ MPH, let me know what happens on the off chance you survive it.

 

[mlopinto2k1]

[citation][nom]bildo123[/nom]Laser pointers stopped being "cool" when I started high school...10 years ago. Also, stupid hurts.[/citation]No, no, no... RED laser pointers stopped being cool. Green is a whole new ball park.

 

[jaywed]

He must of had a shitty lawyer

 

[TheDane]

FYI Marcus: Laser pointers are NOT for cats (or other pets) either. Please read up on "common sense".

 

[ranger82]

Punishment is way over-exaggerated. Green lasers were used in Iraq all the time. While it served a purpose, even Iraqi drivers didn't veer wildly. Another big problem we were having is that stupid Soldiers would laze each other in convoys. Some of these vehicles are seriously top heavy, clumsy, and easily tip over. Yeah, it's not good to get lazed, but don't recall drivers wildly veering because of a green laser. This case in question is absurd.

Green lasers are dangerous for the human eye. However, not all cases end up with permanent sight loss. Many do recover. I have a hard time believing that a handheld laser could be kept in constant location (in the pilot's eye) for more than a very brief moment. It's hard enough with one moving vehicle, let alone an aircraft and a moving vehicle.

Yeah, get the guy. Make an example out of him. But 15 months in prison? I think a 1 month prison sentence and a $3,000 fine to pay for his incarceration is more appropriate. I do not feel sorry for criminals one bit. But this guy isn't a criminal. He made a stupid mistake that could have burned an eye out. If the pilot and co-pilot crash because of one quick laser flash, then they have no business being pilots.

 

[itchyisvegeta]

I am curious, since no one died or was injured, what law the 19 year old broke, to justify 15 months in a federal prison.

 

[applegetsmelaid]

BS. Remember that cop recently in Illinois that was going 126 MPH while texting, veered into oncoming traffic and killed two teenage girls? He got 30 months probation and two years suspension with paid salary. This kid goes to FEDERAL PRISON for a laser pointer that COULD HAVE caused a problem. This justice system is a joke.

http/eoars.avrnlive.com/welcome-to-eye-on-america-roadshow/2010/10/06/illinois-state-troopers-wreckless-driving-kills-two-teens-now-asks-for-workmans-compensation/

 

[selits]

noscope!

 

[flyboy86]

The guy was endangering not only the crew on the helicopter but also bystanders on the ground. If the pilots lost control of the aircraft and crashed into a house, well then he would be charged with those deaths as well.

Laser pointers might make a nice little pin point on a white board fifteen feet away but shine it at something 700 feet away and that little dot is about 10 feet in diameter.

Lastly as I am an Instrument rated pilot, if you do get disoriented while flying, whether it be from flying into clouds or being blinded by a laser you must rely on your flight instruments to keep you flying straight and level. If you can't see your instruments you can't fly straight. Even seasoned pilots can become disoriented.

 

[razor512]

What is there was a cat flying the helicopter?

 

[jj463rd]

To steelbox a low output LASER pointer easily can light up a target and the spot seen from many miles away.
If one used a astronomical telescope say 15 inches in diameter as a collimater (expands the beam and makes it vastly more parallel (less divergence)) and uses another similar telescope coaxially mounted to it with a reticule sight for viewing and mounds this on a stable tripod or other large mounting platform even with a meager 5 milliwatt 635nm wavelength LASER pointer one can target objects,light them up with a fairly small spot size to between 15 to 60 miles away on a clear day even with some atmospheric attenuation.With the vastly brighter Diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) lasers like a 10 milliwatt 532 nm LASER targeting with a similar apparatus would even be easier with longer ranges possible.A LASER is much different than a searchlight because the beam output has a vastly lower divergence (beam spread).With a proper collimater and sighting scope from an extreme range, detection could be difficult.Since the teenager in the story didn't use a larger collimater with a large sighting scope with probably not even a tripod or motorized tracking tripod he was easily sighted.

 

[rasagul]

WOW...700 feet I want that pointer. That had to be a typo in the la times right? I really would like that pointer though...meh

 

[curiousgeorgieo]

I am so scared that in no time crazy criminals like this guy will be out on the streets bringing fear to the hearts of all of us innocent people. Someone must stand up and get him back in jail for doing such an incredibly horrible act. 15 months seems like such a short time to rehabilitate such an evil person. All 19 years of his life should have been enough to educate him ...........punished yes but guess what they have done to his life now through direct contact with real criminals.