⏱ 2 min read
An Albuquerque man has been charged with aiming a laser pointer at a Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office helicopter, striking the cockpit over a dozen times.
According to court documents, Jorge Pinon Armendariz, 47, directed a green laser at the Metro 1 helicopter on October 7, 2025, while it was assisting ground operations. The laser struck the aircraft multiple times, including repeated hits to the pilot’s eyes.
Ground deputies responded to the scene and identified Armendariz as the individual who repeatedly aimed the laser beam at Metro 1. At the time of the incident, Armendariz had an active state warrant for violating conditions of pretrial release in a state case involving receiving or transferring a stolen motor vehicle and possession of a controlled substance.
The Federal Aviation Administration reports that New Mexico had the second-highest number of reported laser incidents per capita in 2024 and 2025. If convicted, Armendariz faces up to 5 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine.
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📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Violent Crime
- Defendant: Albuquerque
- Location: NM
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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