Hammond Man Arrested and Charged with Endangering Safety of U.S. Army National Guard Aircraft

CHARLES CLAUSEN, age 58, a resident of Hammond, Louisiana, was arrested yesterday and charged in a criminal complaint with endangering the safety of U.S. Army National Guard aircraft, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten.

According to the complaint, CLAUSEN’s arrest stems from an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Federal Air Marshal Service after receiving information from the U.S. Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 244 Assault Helicopter Battalion, based in Hammond, Louisiana. Specifically, on October 6, 2009, at approximately 8:00 p.m., six (6) UH-60 Military Blackhawk helicopters and one C-12 aircraft were flying in close proximity returning to the air base after conducting a training operation. While approaching the airport, pilots and crew were temporarily blinded several times by a strong light emanating from the ground and aimed at the nose of the aircraft. According to the complaint, CLAUSEN aimed a Brinkmann Q-Beam, three million candle power flood light at the miliary aircraft in an effort to deter it from flying near his home. The complaint alleges that CLAUSEN’s actions deterred pilots and flight crew from conducting normal operational procedures and endangered the safety of those on board, other aircraft, and citizens.

If convicted, CLAUSEN faces a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty (20) years, a fine of $250,000, and three (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

U.S. Attorney Letten reiterated that the complaint is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The investigation is being conducted by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Air Marshal Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory M. Kennedy.