A 37-year-old Schertz man has been arrested and charged with aiming a laser pointer at a San Antonio Police Department helicopter mid-flight, federal prosecutors announced today. Justin John Shorey now faces federal charges after the February 17, 2019, incident over Bexar County airspace.
The federal indictment, unsealed in San Antonio, alleges Shorey knowingly targeted the beam of a handheld laser at the aircraft and its flight path. FBI agents and San Antonio police executed the arrest without incident late Friday, closing in on Shorey more than four years after the dangerous act.
U.S. Attorney John F. Bash didn’t mince words: “Aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft is incredibly dangerous. We won’t hesitate to hold anyone who engages in that reprehensible behavior fully accountable.” The act not only risks disorienting pilots but can lead to catastrophic crashes.
San Antonio Police Chief William McManus echoed the warning, stating, “The actions of this defendant was not just a safety concern for the officers in the aircraft, but it also put the public in significant danger.” The helicopter was conducting routine operations when it was illuminated.
Shorey now faces up to five years in federal prison and a maximum $250,000 fine if convicted. The charges underscore the federal government’s aggressive stance on so-called ‘lasing’ incidents, which have surged nationwide in recent years.
The investigation was jointly led by FBI agents and the San Antonio Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Roomberg and William R. Harris are prosecuting the case. Authorities urge anyone with information about similar incidents to contact the San Antonio FBI at 210-225-6741, or report sightings immediately by dialing 911. Tips can also be submitted online at https://tips.fbi.gov. A complaint is merely a charge — Justin John Shorey is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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