Laser Strikes Can Damage Vision and Impair Safe Operation of
Aircraft
A
33-year-old Port Angeles, Washington, man was arrested this morning in
connection with a September 26, 2016, laser pointer strike on a U.S. Coast
Guard helicopter, announced U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran. RANDALL MUCK was indicted by a grand jury
last week, charging him with aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft and making
false statements to government agents.
MUCK will make his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Tacoma
at 2:30 today.
The
indictment alleges that on the evening of September 26, 2016, MUCK pointed a
laser beam at a Coast Guard helicopter.
According to reports of the incident, the MH-65 Dolphin helicopter was
descending when it was hit by a laser that originated near Fourth and Hill
Streets in Port Angeles. Laser light can
cause temporary loss of vision and force an air crew to abort its mission. In this incident, no one suffered permanent
damage, but the crew had to return to base and be assessed medically before
returning to duty. Coast Guard crews
from Whidbey Island and Oregon had to cover the Port Angeles area of
responsibility while the air crew was being cleared to return for duty.
The
subsequent investigation identified MUCK as a suspect.
The
indictment also alleges that on May 3, 2018, when questioned by government
agents, MUCK made false statements to the FBI claiming that he did not see the
Coast Guard helicopter in the sky on September 26, 2016.
Both
counts are punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The
charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and
until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case
is being investigated by U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Services and the
FBI. The case is being prosecuted by
Assistant United States Attorneys Grady Leupold and André Peñalver.
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