Man indicted for pointing laser toward aircraft
Anna Wolfe, The Clarion-Ledger
Hinds County, MS
A 20-year-old Terry man could face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for pointing a laser at an aircraft.
Landon Albritton was charged in a federal indictment Wednesday, announced U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis and Special Agent in Charge Donald Alway with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Mississippi.
Albritton is accused of knowingly aiming the beam of a laser at an aircraft or in its flight path, an act that the FBI stresses can distract pilots and endanger passengers.
Thomas Hannigan, information systems manager and facilities coordinator at the Mississippi State University department of aerospace engineering and a flight instructor, said that while someone pointing a laser at an aircraft might not be able to see the full stretch of light the laser is emitting, the concentrated beam of light can be distracting if not dangerous for pilots.
"It reflects into the cockpit," Hannigan said. "The brightness of the light can instantly render your night vision completely ineffective."
Hannigan said even a basic laser can have this effect and people should realize this based on common-sense cautions.
"There's a reason they say don't point the laser in someone's eye," Hannigan said.
U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate will hear the trial on Jan. 4.