West Valley man gets 10-month sentence for aiming laser pointer at Air Force jets
A man from the West Valley was sentenced to 10 months in prison for aiming a laser pointer at U.S. Air Force F-35 fighter jets.
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A man from the West Valley was sentenced to 10 months in prison for aiming a laser pointer at U.S. Air Force F-35 fighter jets, authorities announced Thursday.
William Wilson, 56, of Buckeye, pleaded guilty to shining a laser pointer at multiple fighter jets training around Luke Air Force Base between September 2024 and January 2025, according to the United States Attorney’s Office District of Arizona.
On Jan. 8, 2025, pilots of two F-35 jets were struck by lasers, as well as pilots of an FBI plane, which was surveilling and caught laser strikes coming from Wilson’s residence.
Police found two lasers, one red and one green, in Wilson’s possession while searching his house, and he admitted to aiming the lasers at planes on multiple occasions.
“Military pilots risk their lives to protect Americans,” U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine said. “They should not have to worry about threats from people on the ground when they are training here at home.”
FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Day said pointing a laser directly at an aircraft is extremely dangerous, especially an F-35 Air Force fighter jet.
“Interfering with aircraft by pointing lasers or any other means is dangerous and illegal. It puts the safety of the aircrew, passengers, and everyone on the ground in jeopardy,” Special Agent Keith M. Daniels, Senior Enlisted Leader, AFOSI Detachment 421, added.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Phoenix Division and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.
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