Shining Lasers at Aircraft Can Get You Busted

On the night of April 17, 2010, Justin Stouder of St. Louis, Missouri, was in his front yard testing a laser pointer with a friend. Stouder, 24, was pointing the laser at a distant tower when a Metro Air Support police helicopter appeared in the line of sight about 1.5 miles away and 1,500 feet up. After the laser hit the helicopter, police and the FBIwith help from the pilotmoved in to arrest Stouder. He completed a one-year pre-trial diversion program, which included supervision and probation. I could have caused the pilots to crash, he says. (02:19)