Ocala Man Charged with Aiming Laser Pointer at Helicopter Faces Federal Charges
A 41-year-old man from Ocala, Florida, has been hit with federal charges after allegedly pointing a laser at a Marion County Sheriff’s Office helicopter.
Adam Santiago Lugo is accused of knowingly aiming the beam of a laser pointer at the aircraft on August 2, 2025, while it was operating in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States.
The helicopter was operated by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the incident has raised concerns about the safety of law enforcement personnel and civilians in the area.
If convicted, Santiago Lugo faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The case was investigated by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Air Marshals, and Homeland Security Investigations. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Bodnar, Jr.
The incident occurred on a previous date but was not published at the time due to a government shutdown. The press release was made available following the return to normal operations.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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