Man Arrested for Aiming Laser at Aircraft

Photo byChris LeipeltonUnsplash

By Ciara Perez, News Reporter | iSkyCreations - News & Media (ISC)
Published March 19th, 2024

BUFFALO, N.Y. - In an announcement that underscores the seriousness of endangering aircraft safety, U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross revealed the arrest of Joseph L. Crapsi, a 29-year-old resident of Cheektowaga, NY. Crapsi has been charged with aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft, a federal offense that could result in a minimum of five years in prison and a fine up to $250,000.

The charge stems from an incident on March 1, 2024, when the pilot of a Delta Airlines flight, during its approach to Buffalo Niagara International Airport around 12:07 a.m., reported a green laser being shone at the aircraft. According to the complaint, handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. Kruly, the laser incident lasted between 60 to 90 seconds and appeared to originate from a location approximately one mile south of the flight's approach path.

In response, officers from the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority Police Department conducted a search in the areas of Genesee Street, Dick Road, and Cayuga Street in Cheektowaga but initially found no leads. However, at around 12:30 a.m., a breakthrough came when NFTA officers were informed that Cheektowaga Police were investigating a complaint about a laser being pointed inside a residence on Nagel Drive. Upon arriving at the scene, officers were allowed entry into Crapsi’s family home by his parents, where they discovered a laser pointer in his bedroom.

Further investigation revealed a neighbor's complaint about a green laser that had been shining through his kitchen window, momentarily blinding him. The neighbor reported observing the laser for about 15 minutes, during which it was pointed directly into the sky multiple times.

Crapsi made his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was released on conditions pending further proceedings.

The arrest is the culmination of a joint investigation led by the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority Police Department, directed by Chief Brian Patterson, the Cheektowaga Police Department, led by Chief Brian Coons, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the guidance of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia.

It's important to note that the charges against Crapsi are merely accusations at this stage, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. This case serves as a potent reminder of the legal consequences tied to actions that jeopardize the safety of aircraft operations and public security.

For Immediate Release: U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of New York

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