A South Carolina man was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison for AIMING A LASER POINTER AT AN AIRCRAFT, a serious offense that poses significant risk to the safe operation of an aircraft.
Damien Wade Conley, 33, of Chesnee, South Carolina, was sentenced by United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis in federal court in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
According to evidence presented at the change of plea hearing, on November 20, 2013, Conley recklessly aimed the beam of a laser pointer at two news helicopters as they were flying to cover an accident on the interstate.
The beam from the laser pointer struck each helicopter and invaded the cockpit, putting the pilots at risk of temporary blindness and disorientation.
The inherent danger in pointing a laser into the cockpit of an aircraft is that it can interfere with the safe operation of the aircraft and pose a significant risk of accident and injury.
The case was investigated by agents of the FBI, with Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen of the Greenville office prosecuting the case.
Conley’s sentence serves as a reminder of the severity of this offense and the importance of prioritizing public safety.
Contact Person: Max Cauthen (864) 282-2100
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Key Facts
- State: South Carolina
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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