In brief
Jacob Samuel Winkler has been arrested and charged with a felony for aiming a laser pointer at Marine One, where President Trump was onboard. The incident occurred near the White House as Winkler, described as walking shirtless and talking to himself, reportedly shined the laser beam at the helicopter during its flight. This act could have endangered the aircraft, potentially blinding or disorienting the pilot. Winkler's statements indicated he was unaware of the seriousness of his actions.
WASHINGTON (AP) — A man accused of shining a laser pointer at Marine One with President Donald Trump aboard the helicopter has been arrested on a federal criminal charge, according to a court filing on Monday.Jacob Samuel Winkler is charged with aiming the beam of a laser pointer at an aircraft, a felony punishable by a maximum prison sentence of five years. Online court records don’t list an age or hometown for Winkler or indicate if he has an attorney representing him.Marine One was airborne on Saturday near the White House when a U.S. Secret Service patrol officer spotted Winkler walking on a sidewalk, shirtless and loudly talking to himself, as noted in an affidavit. The officer reported that he shone a flashlight at Winkler, who retaliated by flashing a red laser beam at the officer’s face.As Marine One flew overhead, Winkler reportedly looked up and shined the laser pointer at the helicopter. After being apprehended, Winkler expressed regret to Trump, according to the affidavit.The court documents do not specify whether anyone aboard the helicopter noticed the laser beam, but the officer indicated that Winkler’s behavior could have temporarily impaired the pilot’s vision, potentially risking an airborne collision with other aircraft in the vicinity.Winkler claimed he often points the laser “at all kinds of things, such as stop signs” and did not realize it was unacceptable to target Marine One. Investigators also discovered a small knife in his possession.
