San Antonio Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Aiming Laser Pointer at Local News Helicopter

In San Antonio this afternoon, a federal judge sentenced 25-year-old Christopher B. Evans to eight months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for pointing a laser in the flight path of a helicopter announced United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher B. Combs, San Antonio Division.

Senior United States District Judge David A. Ezra also ordered that Evans surrender to federal authorities on or before February 27, 2017, to begin serving his prison term.

On September 13, 2016, Evans pleaded guilty to one count of aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft in flight. By pleading guilty, Evans admitted that on October 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.

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 prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.