Life-saving helicopters flown by Duke Life Flight reportedly came under fire from a green laser during multiple night missions over Johnston County in April, and deputies say the beam was traced to a Smithfield home. A Smithfield man was arrested in May and charged in connection with several laser incidents that investigators allege targeted aircraft and emergency responders, a case that has locals talking about the real dangers of treating high‑power lasers like backyard toys.
According to The News & Observer, the Federal Aviation Administration alerted the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office just before 10 p.m. on April 14, after pilots reported that lasers had been pointed at Duke Life Flight helicopters for several nights in a row. Search warrants cited by the paper say one pilot told deputies the green beam "tracked with them during flight" and lit up the cockpit on multiple nights. Investigators narrowed their search to the area of Swift Creek Road and Weatherspoon Lane near the county airport as they tried to zero in on the source.
Investigation and arrest
Johnston County detectives executed a search warrant at a Smithfield residence in late April and say they seized evidence that linked a laser device to the property. As reported by JoCo Report, 49‑year‑old Alexander Tyson Urtso was arrested on May 13 and charged with multiple felony counts, and authorities say he later posted a $150,000 secured bond. Deputies told local outlets that the alleged victims in the investigation include Duke Life Flight crews along with county aviation personnel.
What detectives say they found
Detectives allege that pilot video captured a bright green beam flashing three times from the back porch of the Swift Creek Road home as a Life Flight helicopter descended toward Johnston Regional Airport, and that investigators later recovered a charging station and plastic case tied to a high‑power green laser, according to The News & Observer. Warrants reviewed by the paper say investigators also found online searches involving Life Flight crews, along with evidence of an Amazon purchase of a "HITEKK High Power Green Laser." Officials say the pilot video, combined with the digital records, formed the backbone of the case focused on the Smithfield address.
State law and penalties
Under North Carolina law, willfully pointing a laser device at an aircraft while it is taking off, landing or in flight is a Class H felony, under G.S. 14‑280.2. Another statute, G.S. 14‑34.8, makes it a crime to intentionally aim lasers at certain protected workers, including firefighters and emergency medical personnel. State sentencing depends on the felony class and a defendant’s prior record, and prosecutors will determine how the charges move forward in court.
Johnston County detectives say their investigation is still active and are asking anyone with information to contact local law enforcement. Federal officials are also urging the public to report laser illuminations. The Federal Aviation Administration notes that laser strikes can temporarily blind or disorient pilots, says it may seek civil penalties in such cases, and provides reporting tools and safety information on its laser safety page.
