Las Vegas Man Sentenced for Aiming High-Power Laser at Police Helicopter

LAS VEGAS - A Las Vegas man was sentenced today by United States Chief Judge Andrew P. Gordon to nine months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for pointing a high-power laser at a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department helicopter as it was responding to a call in 2025. The government requested a sentence of 21 months' imprisonment.

"Aiming a laser at an aircraft isn't a joke-it's a federal crime that puts lives at risk," said First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. "When someone intentionally interferes with a law enforcement helicopter responding to an emergency, they aren't just endangering the crew; they're jeopardizing everyone depending on that aircraft to do its job. If you think pointing a laser at an aircraft is a joke, today's sentence should make clear that federal prison is the punchline."

"Pointing a laser into the sky is not a harmless joke," said Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Field Office. "Pointing one at a police helicopter is a direct threat to the safety of the pilot, the passengers, and everyone on the ground below. High-powered laser beams can instantly impair a pilot's vision during the most critical phases of flight, turning a routine mission into a potential catastrophe. The FBI will use every available resource to track the illegal use of lasers back to their source. If you aim a laser at an aircraft, expect us to come knocking at your door."

According to court documents, on January 2, 2025, Sergio Octavio Sanchez aimed the beam of a green laser pointer at a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department helicopter several times as the helicopter was providing aerial support for officers on the ground. When the laser struck the aircraft, the pilot had to shield his eyes and divert from its assignment and flight path.

Pointing a laser pointer into the sky to see how far it will shine may seem like a fun thing to do but it can have serious consequences. Aiming a laser beam at an aircraft poses a serious safety risk for those on board and on the ground. Laser beams can cause disorientation, temporary blindness - potentially causing a midair collision or other incident - and in some cases permanent vision problems or blindness. According to the FAALinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link., in 2025, pilots reported 10,993 laser strikes.

Sanchez pleaded guilty to one count of aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft.

The FBI and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Tina Snellings prosecuted the case.

If you spot someone aiming a laser at the sky in a suspicious manner, you can report it to the FBI by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or visiting tips.fbi.gov. You can also report laser strikes to local law enforcement and the FAA.

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