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Stephen Francis Bukucs 'aimed lasers at planes' | Stephen Francis Bukucs 'aimed lasers at planes' |
(about 14 hours later) | |
A man in the US state of Oregon has been arrested on charges of aiming a laser pointer at two commercial airliners, authorities have said. | A man in the US state of Oregon has been arrested on charges of aiming a laser pointer at two commercial airliners, authorities have said. |
Stephen Francis Bukucs was arrested in Portland on Friday and is accused of aiming the laser at United Airlines and JetBlue aeroplanes on 13 October. | Stephen Francis Bukucs was arrested in Portland on Friday and is accused of aiming the laser at United Airlines and JetBlue aeroplanes on 13 October. |
Authorities say Mr Bukucs is the first adult to face prosecution for such charges in Oregon. | |
He pleaded not guilty in a court appearance on Monday. | He pleaded not guilty in a court appearance on Monday. |
The private security guard, 39, "knowingly aimed the beam of a laser pointer" at the aircraft, according to court documents. | The private security guard, 39, "knowingly aimed the beam of a laser pointer" at the aircraft, according to court documents. |
Mr Bukucs' arrest was the result of a joint investigation by the FBI, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Portland police, according to the US Attorney's Office for the District of Oregon. | |
'Endangered hundreds' | 'Endangered hundreds' |
Knowingly aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft is a felony offence under federal law and carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 (£154,964) fine, the office said in a statement. | |
"His conduct in this case was extremely dangerous,'' Assistant US Attorney Stephen Peifer said in court on Monday. | "His conduct in this case was extremely dangerous,'' Assistant US Attorney Stephen Peifer said in court on Monday. |
"It literally endangered hundreds of people." | "It literally endangered hundreds of people." |
Mr Bukucs's lawyer said his client was addicted to pain killers after a workplace injury and suffers from depression, the Associated Press news agency reported. | Mr Bukucs's lawyer said his client was addicted to pain killers after a workplace injury and suffers from depression, the Associated Press news agency reported. |
Magistrate Judge Dennis Hubel ordered a mental health evaluation for Mr Bukucs, who has no criminal record. | Magistrate Judge Dennis Hubel ordered a mental health evaluation for Mr Bukucs, who has no criminal record. |
The FBI found several firearms in Mr Bukucs's home, all of which save one the court ordered him to surrender. | The FBI found several firearms in Mr Bukucs's home, all of which save one the court ordered him to surrender. |
Green laser pointers, which Mr Bukucs stands accused of using, can reach objects up to 25,000ft (7,620m) away and can temporarily blind pilots. | Green laser pointers, which Mr Bukucs stands accused of using, can reach objects up to 25,000ft (7,620m) away and can temporarily blind pilots. |
The FAA has received more than 15,000 reports of lasers being aimed at aircraft since 2005. | The FAA has received more than 15,000 reports of lasers being aimed at aircraft since 2005. |
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