San Diego man Ruben Ricardo Rodriguez was copped to a serious felony in court today: beaming a laser pointer at a sheriff's department chopper. His guilty plea in the federal case comes after an incident last year that could have had deadly repercussions, per the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of California.
During his plea, Rodriguez admitted that on June 12, 2021, commercial flights coming into San Diego International Airport were bombarded by a dangerous green laser, prompting the FAA to alert local law enforcement. The San Diego Sheriff’s helicopter, operating under call sign ASTREA, was soon targeted by that same laser near National City, CA. According to the plea agreement, the cockpit was blasted with a green light, momentarily blinding the crew and creating a potential disaster.
On video, Rodriguez was seen directing the laser not just at the ground and across the street but also deliberately aiming at the helicopter. The pilot reported that the laser caused a significant glare on the aircraft's glass, and the deputy on board was hit in the eyes. "Laser pointers are not toys, and aiming them at aircraft is a crime, not a prank,” U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath stated, emphasizing the gravity of such actions.
The FBI has underscored the serious nature of such offenses and the stringent response they elicit. "Pointing a laser at an aircraft is a serious criminal act and can have potentially deadly consequences," said FBI San Diego Acting Special Agent in Charge Jamie Arnold. The authorities urge the public to report immediately if they witness similar hazardous behavior. Rodriguez now awaits his sentencing on March 4, 2024, where he faces a maximum penalty of five years in custody and a $250,000 fine.
