Rebecca C. Lutzko United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio
A Lucas County resident has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly pointing a laser pointer at an aircraft in flight. Branden Jay Lounsbury, 41, of Toledo, faces one count of Aiming a Laser Pointer at an Aircraft or its Flight Path.
Authorities say the incident occurred on June 2, 2025, when Lounsbury allegedly directed a laser pointer at an Ohio State Highway Patrol helicopter while it was flying in United States airspace. According to the indictment, which was unsealed recently, this conduct is prohibited under Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 39A(a). Pointing lasers at aircraft can put pilots at risk of permanent eye injury and could potentially cause crashes.
Lounsbury was arrested in Michigan on February 10. The investigation was conducted by the FBI Toledo Resident Agency, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and the Toledo Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Tracey Tangeman is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Lounsbury could face up to five years in federal prison. The final sentence will be determined by the court after considering various factors such as any prior criminal record and details unique to this case.
"An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt," officials stated.
