Ohio Men Sentenced for Targeting Ohio State Highway Patrol Pilots with Laser and LED Spotlight

Two Ohio men faced sentencing for their involvement in targeting an Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) helicopter with a laser and LED spotlight, actions classified as a federal offense.

Jason McCloskey, aged 54, pleaded guilty to attempted obstructing official business, while 42-year-old Louis Bernard was found guilty of one count of criminal damaging or endangering, as reported by WJW.

McCloskey received a sentence of 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine on March 4. Meanwhile, Bernard was sentenced to a year of community contract, set to conclude on October 29, 2024. Additionally, Bernard was ordered to pay a $120 supervision fee.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a pilot operating an Airbus AS350 helicopter was targeted by a green-and-blue laser while flying over Elyria, Ohio, on April 14, 2023.

Ray Woods, aged 61, identified as a third suspect, is scheduled for trial on May 28 at 8:30 a.m. All three individuals were arrested in connection with the incident.

Fortunately, no injuries resulted from the incident, as confirmed by the outlet.

While commercial laser strikes typically do not cause permanent harm, they can disorient pilots and induce temporary blindness, as highlighted by WJW, citing information from the FAA.

Individuals witnessing such incidents are encouraged to report laser strikes to the FAA through the organization’s official website.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, myfox28columbus.com