Christopher B. Evans, age 25, faces up to five years in federal prison after admitting to pointing a laser in the flight path of a helicopter last year announced United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher B. Combs, San Antonio Division.
Appearing before United States Magistrate Judge John W. Primomo in San Antonio this afternoon, Evans pleaded guilty to one count of aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft in flight. By pleading guilty, Evans admitted that on Oct. 27, 2015, he aimed the beam of a laser pointer at a local television news helicopter as it was flying north of the San Antonio International Airport.
Evans remains on a $20,000 bond pending sentencing scheduled for 9:00am on Dec. 12, 2016, before Senior United States District Judge David A. Ezra.
According to the FBI, in 2015, San Antonio ranked among the top 15 cities in the nation for laser strikes, with almost 100 reported. Laser strikes can blind pilots of airborne aircraft, jeopardizing the lives of persons aboard.
If you have information about a lasing incident, contact the San Antonio FBI at 210-225-6741. If you see someone pointing a laser at an aircraft, call the nearest local law enforcement agency immediately by dialing 911. Tips can also be submitted online at https://tips.fbi.gov.
This investigation was conducted by agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation together with the San Antonio Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Michael R. Hardy is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
