Brenton Wells, Laser Pointer Interference, Illinois 2018

ROCKFORD — A Rockford man has been sentenced to 15 months in prison for his role in a potentially hazardous incident involving a laser pointer and an aircraft.

Brenton Wells, 45, pleaded guilty to knowingly aiming his laser pointer at an aircraft flying over his residence on December 6, 2018. According to court documents, Wells continued to aim the laser pointer at the aircraft even as it moved through the sky.

The sentencing, which took place in federal court, was announced by a coalition of law enforcement officials, including John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Marc Sledge, Director of Air and Marine Operations, Great Lakes Air and Marine Branch.

Wells’ actions were deemed a serious offense by authorities, who emphasized the potential dangers posed by shining laser pointers at aircraft in flight.

The U.S. Attorney’s office, which represented the government in the case, was led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott R. Paccagnini. Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the FBI, and Dan O’Shea, Rockford Chief of Police, also contributed to the effort.

The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting the safety of aircraft and their occupants.

Wells’ sentence will be served at a federal correctional facility. The investigation into the incident was a collaborative effort between multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the Rockford Police Department.

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