Louisiana woman pleads guilty for aiming laser at police helicopter

SHREVEPORT, La. ( KTAL/KMSS ) —  A Blanchard woman pleaded guilty in federal court to pointing a laser at a Baltimore police helicopter flying 3,500 feet over the city.

United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown detailed that on August 15, 2023, April Nicole Poitras pointed a green laser at a Cessna 172L. Law enforcement officers responded to the area by vehicle and helicopter.

According to information presented in court, ‘While responding to the scene, the police helicopter, an Airbus H125, was also illuminated by a green laser from the ground.’

Poitras admitted to knowingly aiming the laser pointer at both aircraft and their flight paths, and she admitted to targeting several aircraft that night.

According to the news release, Poitras faces a sentence of up to 5 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

The U.S. Department of Justice noted Poitras appeared before United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr.

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