WASHINGTON (AP) — Jacob Samuel Winkler has been charged after allegedly pointing a laser device at Marine One, where President Donald Trump was on board. The serious felony charge stems from an incident that occurred last Saturday while the presidential helicopter was in the vicinity of the White House.
Winkler's actions were first noted by a U.S. Secret Service officer, who witnessed the suspect walking on a sidewalk in a disheveled state, reportedly shirtless and conversing with himself. The situation escalated when Winkler responded to the officer's flashlight with a red laser beam directed at the officer's eyes.
As Marine One passed overhead, Winkler aimed the laser at the helicopter, prompting his arrest. After being taken into custody, Winkler expressed regret and apologized to President Trump, suggesting a level of awareness about the gravity of his actions.
The court documents, however, do not indicate whether the crew inside Marine One was aware of the laser pointer incident. The officer noted that Winkler's behavior could have temporarily blinded or disoriented a pilot, raising significant safety concerns about the potential for a mid-air collision with other aircraft.
During questioning, Winkler claimed he often directs lasers at various objects, such as stop signs, and was unaware that targeting a military aircraft was illegal. The affidavit further revealed that Winkler was carrying a small knife at the time of his arrest. The maximum penalty for this felony charge is five years in prison.
Winkler's actions were first noted by a U.S. Secret Service officer, who witnessed the suspect walking on a sidewalk in a disheveled state, reportedly shirtless and conversing with himself. The situation escalated when Winkler responded to the officer's flashlight with a red laser beam directed at the officer's eyes.
As Marine One passed overhead, Winkler aimed the laser at the helicopter, prompting his arrest. After being taken into custody, Winkler expressed regret and apologized to President Trump, suggesting a level of awareness about the gravity of his actions.
The court documents, however, do not indicate whether the crew inside Marine One was aware of the laser pointer incident. The officer noted that Winkler's behavior could have temporarily blinded or disoriented a pilot, raising significant safety concerns about the potential for a mid-air collision with other aircraft.
During questioning, Winkler claimed he often directs lasers at various objects, such as stop signs, and was unaware that targeting a military aircraft was illegal. The affidavit further revealed that Winkler was carrying a small knife at the time of his arrest. The maximum penalty for this felony charge is five years in prison.
