A Columbia Falls resident, Travis Kurt Myers, 57, was sentenced to eight months in prison for aiming a laser-mounted firearm at a helicopter. The sentence also includes three years of supervised release and a $15,000 fine, according to U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme.
Myers pleaded guilty in March 2025 to one count of aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft. The sentencing was overseen by U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen.
According to court documents, Flathead County Sheriff’s deputies responded after a delivery driver reported that someone had pointed a green laser at his vehicle and then fired a gunshot in Columbia Falls. Another witness told deputies that Myers had pointed a gun at her and discharged it into the ground. While interviewing this witness, deputies continued to hear gunshots from the area.
Aerial surveillance was called in to assist with locating the suspect. A helicopter equipped with thermal cameras found Myers outside his residence holding a firearm. According to the government’s account, "Myers repeatedly pointed the firearm with a laser mounted on it at the helicopter." The pilots saw the laser and recorded it on their cameras; they also observed Myers firing the weapon but could not determine if he aimed directly at them. Officers on the ground could hear the helicopter overhead, indicating that Myers knew he was targeting an aircraft.
Law enforcement arrested Myers without incident and obtained a search warrant for his property. During their search, they found several firearms, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, an unregistered silencer, and a rifle fitted with a green laser.
The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office following an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office.
"Kurt G. Alme said: 'The sentence imposed today reflects both the seriousness of pointing lasers at aircrafts and our commitment to prosecuting these dangerous offenses.'"
