The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man for shining a laser at a HCSO helicopter that was in flight.
On December 6, 2023, at 4:24 a.m., a HCSO helicopter was struck by a bright green laser multiple times while doing surveillance in Brandon. Within minutes, patrol deputies were able to arrest William Long Lee, 56, on a felony charge of Misuse of Laser Lighting Device.
“Shining a laser at a pilot or aircraft is extremely dangerous and illegal,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Pointing a laser can distract or temporarily blind the pilot. The light can often spread so much that a pilot cannot avoid it. This irresponsible behavior posed an imminent threat to the safety of our pilot and tactical flight deputy.”
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This is HCSO’s second arrest for Misuse of Laser Lighting Device in the last two weeks. HCSO asks the community never to shine a laser into the sky or at an aircraft. The consequences could be deadly. In 2022, there were 9,457 reported laser strikes to the FAA.
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