Orange County Man Sentenced to 9 Years in Federal Prison for Using Semi-Automatic Rifle to Shoot at O.C. Sheriff’s Department Helicopter

SANTA ANA, California - A Laguna Niguel man was sentenced today to 108 months in federal prison for using a semi-automatic rifle to repeatedly shoot at an Orange County Sheriff's Department (OCSD) helicopter from a second-story window at his home.

Justin Derek Jennings, 41, was sentenced by United States District Judge John W. Holcomb.

Jennings pleaded guilty in August 2025 to one count of attempting to damage, destroy, disable, or wreck an aircraft in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States.

On March 9, 2024, Jennings - from a second-story window of his residence - used a semi-automatic rifle to shoot at a helicopter operated by OCSD.

Court documents previously filed in this case stated that Jennings and his family were celebrating his birthday party on that day. Jennings had been drinking and later removed a rifle from his gun safe and fired an entire magazine worth of ammunition inside the home. Jennings' family fled and reported the incident to law enforcement.

The O.C. Sheriff's Department responded with several deputies and a police helicopter that flew in circles around the area. Jennings then went to the home's second story and began shooting a rifle upwards in the sky, firing only when the helicopter was visible to him. The shooting continued intermittently for at least 20 minutes. After speaking with an Orange County sheriff's deputy, Jennings exited the residence and surrendered.

During a search of Jennings' residence, law enforcement seized numerous firearms and rifles along with multiple rounds of ammunition. Bullet casings were scattered throughout the floor and law enforcement also seized two magazines and a box of ammunition that was on a couch immediately beneath the window from where Jennings fired the weapon.

"This is a serious offense involving violent and disturbing conduct that endangered many lives," prosecutors argued in a sentencing memorandum. "[Jennings] repeatedly shot at an OCSD helicopter from a second-story window with the goal of shooting it down."

The Orange County District Attorney's Office charged Jennings in connection with this incident but dismissed the case so the federal case against him could proceed.

The FBI and the Orange County Sheriff's Department investigated this matter.

Assistant United States Attorney Caitlin J. Campbell of the Orange County Office prosecuted this case.