An Oregon man was accused of pointing laser pointers at two different commercial planes at a busy airport in the state. The man has pleaded not guilty to federal charges.
Stephen Francis Bukucs, 39, was accused of aiming a laser pointer at a JetBlue and United Airlines flight that were landing at Portland International Airport on Oct. 13.
He was indicted and arrested. Bukucs, a private security guard from Portland, is the first adult to face criminal prosecution for laser attacks in the state, AP reports.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen F. Peifer told a judge that Bukucs admitted to pointing a green laser at aircrafits about 25 times for "excitement and thrills." He reportedly aimed the laser at the planes and then would go inside and listen for a reaction on police radio scanners.
"His conduct in this case was extremely dangerous," Peifer told AP. "It literally endangered hundreds of people."
However Bukucs pleaded not guilty to the charges. His lawyer, Mark Cogan said that Bukucs is addicted to pain killers due to a workplace injury and has problems with depression. The judge ordered a mental health evaluation. He does not have a criminal record.
Bukucs has five guns in the home, the Federal Bureau of Investigation discovered. One of the guns is used for work. He was forced to relinquish control of the other four personal guns to his mother. It is not clear why he had a laser pointer.
Green laser lights are supposed to be used to point out stars at night as they are much stronger than red laser pointers. They can point out objects up to 25,000 feet away and can blind or distract pilots, especially during takeoff and landing.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
