A Las Vegas man was sentenced on July 29 by United States Chief Judge Andrew P. Gordon to nine months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for pointing a high-power laser at a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department helicopter while it was responding to a call in 2025. The government had requested a sentence of 21 months’ imprisonment.
“Aiming a laser at an aircraft isn’t a joke—it’s a federal crime that puts lives at risk,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “When someone intentionally interferes with a law enforcement helicopter responding to an emergency, they aren’t just endangering the crew; they’re jeopardizing everyone depending on that aircraft to do its job. If you think pointing a laser at an aircraft is a joke, today’s sentence should make clear that federal prison is the punchline.”
Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Field Office said, “Pointing a laser into the sky is not a harmless joke. Pointing one at a police helicopter is a direct threat to the safety of the pilot, the passengers, and everyone on the ground below. High-powered laser beams can instantly impair a pilot’s vision during the most critical phases of flight, turning a routine mission into a potential catastrophe. The FBI will use every available resource to track the illegal use of lasers back to their source. If you aim a laser at an aircraft, expect us to come knocking at your door.”
According to court documents, on January 2, 2025, Sergio Octavio Sanchez aimed the beam of a green laser pointer several times at the police department’s helicopter as it provided aerial support for officers on the ground. When struck by the beam, the pilot had to shield his eyes and divert from both assignment and flight path.
Authorities emphasized that pointing lasers into skies may seem like entertainment but carries serious consequences including disorientation or temporary blindness for pilots—potentially leading to midair collisions or permanent injury—and jeopardizes those aboard and people below. In 2025 alone, pilots reported nearly 11,000 such incidents nationwide according to FAA data cited in court documents.
Sanchez pleaded guilty to one count of aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft. The case was investigated by both FBI and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tina Snellings.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada advances community wellness through federal law enforcement initiatives across all 17 counties in Nevada and collaborates with local agencies as part of its role within the U.S. Department of Justice.