Man pleads guilty to aiming laser pointer at California sheriff’s helicopter

CALIFORNIA – The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced last week that a man pleaded guilty to aiming a laser pointer at a Fresno County Sheriff’s Office helicopter, in a case that underscores growing concerns about laser strikes on aircraft.

Martin Joseph Avila, 66, of Longmont, Colorado, admitted in court that he intentionally directed a laser beam at the aircraft on May 28, 2024. The laser pointer he used had an output of 92.8 milliwatts, more than 18 times the legal limit for such devices.

Laser strikes may seem harmless from the ground, but aviation experts warn they pose a serious risk to pilots.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), laser exposure can impair a pilot’s vision—causing glare, flash blindness, or afterimages—especially during takeoff or landing. Even brief visual disruptions can lead to dangerous consequences mid-flight.

Laser beams also continue far beyond what the eye can see, spreading as they travel and becoming increasingly hazardous when they strike curved cockpit windows.

Pilots may mistake lasers for aiming devices or interpret them as deliberate threats, further complicating already high-stakes flight conditions.

Faces up to 5 years in prison

Avila’s sentencing is scheduled for January 12, 2026. He faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. However, the actual sentence will be determined by the court after weighing applicable legal factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines.

This incident is part of a national trend. In 2024, the FAA received 12,840 reports of laser strikes from pilots—California led the nation with 1,489 incidents.

Aviation safety experts and law enforcement urge the public to understand the severity of these actions. Even seemingly low-powered lasers can endanger lives, and pointing one at an aircraft is a federal crime.

Pilots, aviation officials, and prosecutors alike continue to treat these incidents with the highest level of concern.