MEMPHIS, TN – In a shocking turn of events, residents of Memphis International Airport were plagued by a green laser pointer that consistently struck planes flying into the airport from the east, landing on the cockpit and cabin of Federal Express planes at various altitudes.
Between January 1, 2021 and July 15, 2021, a staggering 49 strikes were reported, mainly targeting Federal Express planes. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) notified the FBI Memphis Field Office of these incidents, prompting an investigation into the source of the laser pointer.
Surveillance was conducted in Saulsbury, Tennessee, on July 16, 2021, and again on August 11, 2021, with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) aircraft, equipped with a camera, circling the area over Hardeman County, TN. The surveillance equipment pinpointed a residence located at the intersection of Whippoorwill Road and Hamer Road in Benton County, Mississippi near the TN/MS border as the source of the laser strikes.
On August 11, 2021, at approximately 9:30 pm, the TBI plane entered the area over Hardeman County, TN, and began reporting laser strikes originating from the south and southwest of their position. Law enforcement arrived on the scene and observed Eugene Conrad, a 52-year-old man from Michigan City, Mississippi, walking around a house while lasering the plane. A green laser pointer was found in an outdoor trashcan.
Conrad admitted to law enforcement that he intentionally struck planes flying near his residence with the green laser pointer for several months. He pleaded guilty to aiming a laser pointer at aircraft on December 14, 2021.
Conrad faces up to five years in federal prison, to be followed by three years supervised release and a $250,000 fine. There is no parole in the federal system. Sentencing is set for March 10, 2022, before U.S. District Judge Thomas L. Parker. This case was investigated by the FBI – Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and the Federal Aviation Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Hall is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
As the investigation unfolded, it became clear that Conrad’s actions posed a significant threat to the safety of pilots and passengers. The use of laser pointers to target aircraft is a serious offense that can cause permanent damage to the eyes of pilots and passengers. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting aviation safety and the consequences of reckless behavior.
The guilty plea and impending sentencing of Eugene Conrad bring an end to this troubling chapter, and we can only hope that it serves as a deterrent to others who would consider engaging in similar behavior.
This case is a sobering reminder of the importance of aviation safety and the need for individuals to respect the boundaries of air travel.
Key Facts
- State: Tennessee
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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