60-year-old Sandra Roberson was sentenced to 37 months (3 years and 1 month) in federal prison for pointing a laser at a San Antonio Police Department helicopter, putting the flight crew and people on the ground at risk.
On November 3, 2023, Roberson used a laser to repeatedly strike the helicopter, causing it to divert from its mission to investigate a shooting. The laser targeting persisted, endangering the safety of the flight crew. Roberson was arrested on January 30, 2024, and pleaded guilty on September 5, 2024.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza emphasized the gravity of the offense, stating, “Shooting lasers at aircraft is incredibly dangerous to the flight crew, passengers, and people on the ground.”
The FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force and the San Antonio Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Roomberg prosecuted the case.
