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Man faces federal indictment for pointing laser at police helicopter
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 04/16/07 4:21 PM
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A man accused of pointing a laser device at a DeKalb police helicopter faces federal prosecution. The U.S. attorney’s office in Atlanta announced Monday that Mohammed Haghighi, 24, of Decatur had been indicted on charges of lying to federal agents about the incident.
DeKalb police questioned Haghighi on Feb. 4 after the pilots of a police helicopter near the Wesley Club Apartments reported a man on the ground repeatedly targeted them with a green laser. The laser illuminated the cockpit glass and disoriented the pilots, who were wearing night vision goggles, the U.S. attorney’s office said.
Authorities said DeKalb officers on the ground located Haghighi and found a hand-held laser device in a nearby stairwell. DeKalb police said Haghighi admitted to pointing the laser at the helicopter, but he denied doing so when he was questioned later by the FBI.
If convicted, Haghighi could be sentenced to five years in prison. He was released on bond after a hearing Monday.
“The Justice Department takes very seriously any threat to the safety of our nation’s aviation system, to include actions against the brave men and women who pilot law enforcement aircraft,” said United States Attorney David E. Nahmias. “We are fortunate that no one was hurt in this incident. Across the nation, we have seen an increase in incidents where lasers are used to target civilian and government aircraft. This is dangerous conduct, and when we can identify those responsible we will prosecute them.”
