Washington, United States – US authorities have charged a man who pointed a laser pointer at the presidential helicopter Marine One as it left the White House with President Donald Trump on board.
A Secret Service officer saw the accused, Jacob Samuel Winkler (33 years old), directing a red laser beam at a plane.
This is a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison.
The court document stated that Winkler’s behavior carried the risk of the pilot becoming blinking blind and confused.
Especially during a low-flying flight near other helicopters and the Washington Monument.
“This exposed Marine One to the risk of a mid-air collision,” she added.
The document signed by the Secret Service officer showed that Winkler “kneeled down and began saying things like (I apologize to Donald Trump)” after being handcuffed.
Winkler later told authorities that he “did not know that he should not direct the laser at Marine One”.
He pointed out that he “directs the laser at various objects, such as standing signals” on the roads.
The document did not say whether any people on board the helicopter paid attention to the laser.
Trump was then heading to Virginia to deliver a speech before the American Cornerstone Institute, according to American media.
The Federal Aviation Administration reports that lasers pose a “serious threat to the safety” of aircraft and may hinder pilots’ work.
5,913 laser beam guidance incidents were recorded this year.
