Dallas Man Imprisoned For Pointing Laser At Helicopter

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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - A Dallas man was sentenced to federal prison for pointing a laser at an aircraft.

Orlando Chapa, 37, was sentenced to 13 months after his guilty plea in November 2015 for aiming a laser pointer at a DPS helicopter as it was flying over his driveway.

Aviation expert Denny Kelly said Chapa's actions could have led to something more serious.

"If you shine a laser in the cockpit of a plane that is low to the ground, and get that laser in the pilot's eyes, he could theoretically lose control of the plane."

He said the problem is that when the perpetrators are caught, they don't get severe sentences.

"I think 13 months in prison is not enough time. I think if you point a laser at an airplane you should do three to five years. Period."

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