Landon Albritton was charged in a federal indictment Wednesday, announced U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis and Special Agent in Charge Donald Alway with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Mississippi.
Albritton is accused of knowingly aiming the beam of a laser at an aircraft or in its flight path, an act that the FBI stresses can distract pilots and endanger passengers.
Thomas Hannigan, information systems manager and facilities coordinator at the Mississippi State University department of aerospace engineering and a flight instructor, said that while someone pointing a laser at an aircraft might not be able to see the full stretch of light the laser is emitting, the concentrated beam of light can be distracting if not dangerous for pilots.
"It reflects into the cockpit," Hannigan said. "The brightness of the light can instantly render your night vision completely ineffective."
Hannigan said even a basic laser can have this effect and people should realize this based on common-sense cautions.
"There's a reason they say don't point the laser in someone's eye," Hannigan said.
U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate will hear the trial on Jan. 4.
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Landon Albritton, age 20, of Terry, Mississippi, has been charged in a federal indictment with knowingly aiming the beam of a laser pointer at an aircraft or its flight path in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States.
According to the indictment, the incident occurred on August 6, 2015. Albritton was arraigned Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Linda R. Anderson.
The case is scheduled for trial before U.S. District Judge Henry T. Wingate on January 4, 2016. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Reports of laser attacks have increased dramatically in recent years as powerful laser devices have become more affordable and widely available to the public.
Lasers can completely incapacitate pilots who are trying to fly safely to their destination, endangering crew members, passengers and people on the ground. If you have information about a lasing incident or see someone pointing a laser at an aircraft, call your local FBI field office or dial 911.
- Source: http://www.wdam.com
