Joshua J. Johnson Guilty

A jury in U.S. District Court in St. Louis found Joshua J. Johnson, 44, guilty of one felony count of knowingly aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft. The verdict came after a trial that started Tuesday afternoon with jury selection, and jurors took roughly 20 minutes to convict Johnson.

The crime occurred on August 9, 2024, when Johnson used a blue laser to target a marked Metro Air Support helicopter flying over the Benton Park neighborhood in St. Louis. The helicopter was supporting other officers at the time. A St. Louis County Police Department pilot and a St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department pilot were temporarily blinded when blue light flooded the cockpit.

As the blue light started to wane, the officers were able to track the beam to the driver’s side of a vehicle below them. The officers then tracked the vehicle as it drove down the street. The driver, later identified as Johnson, aimed the laser at the helicopter again. The officers continued to track the vehicle and provided updates to officers on the ground, who stopped the vehicle and arrested Johnson.

Initially, Johnson denied pointing the laser, but he later admitted to the crime. He also admitted to the crime in calls from jail. The case highlights the dangers of laser pointers, which can permanently blind air crews. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposes civil penalties of up to $11,000 on those who point lasers at aircraft.

Pilots reported 12,840 laser strikes to the FAA in 2024, demonstrating the widespread nature of the problem. Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced on October 30 and faces a potential punishment of up to five years in prison. The case was investigated by the FBI, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, and the Metro Air Support Unit.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mohsen Pasha and Derek Wiseman are prosecuting the case. The conviction serves as a warning to those who would target aircraft with lasers, putting the lives of pilots and passengers at risk. The crime is a serious offense, and the authorities are taking steps to prevent such incidents in the future.

The use of laser pointers to target aircraft is a growing concern, and the FAA is working to educate the public about the dangers of this behavior. The case of Joshua J. Johnson serves as an example of the consequences of such actions, and it is hoped that it will deter others from engaging in similar behavior. With the sentencing of Johnson scheduled for October 30, the community will be watching to see how the court handles this serious offense.

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