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Laser Danger: Hawaii Pilot Dazzled in Court Case
5 Jun
Summary
- Pointing lasers at aircraft is a federal felony with a potential five-year prison sentence.
- Hawaii sees a high rate of laser-pointer assaults against aircraft nationwide.
- A Hawaii man faces sentencing for aiding an associate in dazzling a pilot.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Hawaii, in collaboration with the FBI and FAA, has issued a strong warning regarding the dangers of aiming laser pointers at aircraft. Purposely directing a laser beam at a plane is a federal felony, punishable by up to five years in prison. This warning comes as Hawaii resident Jesse Kong awaits sentencing on June 17 for his involvement in an incident where a pilot's vision was impaired by a laser.
Kong pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact, admitting he loaned a high-powered laser pointer to an associate who then directed it at an FBI aircraft over Hawaii. The incident disoriented the pilot and interfered with the aircraft's operations. Federal prosecutors noted that some online laser products are mislabeled and can emit much higher power levels than advertised, posing significant risks.
Hawaii has one of the nation's highest rates of aircraft laser-pointing assaults. Authorities are urging anyone who witnesses such an act to contact law enforcement immediately, emphasizing that these actions are not pranks but direct assaults on aviation safety.
