Man accused of shining laser pointer at aircraft
A federal indictment accuses a suburban Dallas man of shining a laser at an aircraft flying near his home.
A U.S. attorney's statement Monday says Sammy Don Ladymon Jr. of Garland is charged with a single count of interfering with an aircraft after a laser was pointed at a Southwest Airlines Co. jet on June 2. It says Ladymon is the first such prosecution in North Texas.
If convicted, he could get up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Trial is set for Dec. 16. Public defender Richard Anderson declined to comment. Ladymon remains free on his own recognizance.
Ladymon also could get an $11,000 penalty from a Federal Aviation Administration civil enforcement action. The FAA says 90 such cases have been reported in North Texas this year.
