Man charged in D.C. with pointing laser at presidential helicopter

Federal prosecutors in the District charged a man with pointing a laser at President Trump’s helicopter.

Jacob Samuel Winkler is accused of zeroing in with the laser on Saturday, according to the criminal complaint filed against him on Monday. 

Mr. Winkler was walking westbound on Constitution Avenue NW when he encountered a Secret Service agent who was patrolling the area as Mr. Trump’s Marine One helicopter went airborne. Mr. Winkler is accused of shining his laser at the officer after the agent shone a flashlight at him, according to an affidavit the officer wrote.

The officer then approached Mr. Winkler, at which point the accused noticed Marine One overhead, according to the affidavit. The Secret Service agent alleged that Mr. Winkler then aimed his laser at the helicopter, risking blinding and disorienting Marine One’s pilot.

The officer promptly arrested Mr. Winkler and took the laser and a 3-inch knife from the defendant. The accused repeatedly said, “I apologize to Donald Trump,” according to the affidavit.

Mr. Winkler also claimed he didn’t know he was not allowed to shine a laser at the helicopter.

If convicted, he would not only face a possible prison sentence, but also a Federal Aviation Administration fine of $32,646 for pointing a laser at an aircraft, per the FAA website.

Mr. Winkler is a 33-year-old District resident, according to The Associated Press.