A Maui man who admitted helping an associate aim a laser into the cockpit of a federally operated aircraft pleaded guilty this spring and now faces sentencing on June 17, 2026, as federal prosecutors and the FBI ramp up enforcement in Hawaiʻi. Officials say the case is part of a broader crackdown meant to deter a rash of laser incidents that can put pilots and communities at risk when beams strike aircraft during critical phases of flight.
According to court documents, 30-year-old Jesse Kong admitted in a plea agreement that he bought a laser pointer online and loaned it to an associate who, in Kong’s presence, aimed the beam into an aircraft’s cockpit, disorienting the pilot, investigators say. FBI agents intercepted the pair shortly after the episode, and authorities allege Kong falsely told investigators the suspects had already left. That conduct led to an accessory-after-the-fact plea. Kong pleaded guilty on April 15 and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 17, 2026, as reported by Maui Now.
Officials Warn Lasers Can Blind Pilots
“Hawaiʻi has one of the highest rates of aircraft lasing in the nation,” U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson said, adding that pointing a laser at an aircraft is “highly dangerous, illegal, and will be met with the full force of federal law.” FBI Honolulu Special Agent in Charge David Porter reminded investigators and the public that “aiming a laser at an aircraft is not a prank” because powerful beams “can instantly impair a pilot’s vision during the most critical phases of flight.” Those remarks and other case details were provided to local media and the Department of Justice, per Maui Now.
Federal Penalties, Trends And Enforcement
Pilots reported 10,994 laser strikes to the FAA in 2025, a 14 percent drop from the year before, but the agency says totals remain “too high.” The FAA warns that people who shine lasers at aircraft may face civil enforcement and federal criminal penalties, and the agency has combined outreach, data tools, and law-enforcement partnerships to trace beams and pursue prosecutions. For national statistics and the FAA’s reporting guidance, see the Federal Aviation Administration and the FAA laser safety hub.
How To Report And What To Watch
Pilots and aviation personnel are urged to report laser strikes immediately to air traffic control and the FAA, and members of the public who see someone pointing a laser at an aircraft are asked to contact local authorities with as much detail as possible, including location and time. The FAA’s laser safety page includes a reporting form and visualization tools for tracking incident trends, and officials stress that inexpensive handheld devices can be more powerful than buyers expect. Hoodline has previously covered related prosecutions and the agency’s data-driven outreach in other metros, including recent laser lunacy over San Diego skies.
