A Louisville resident has been sentenced to three months in federal incarceration, followed by three months of home confinement, for aiming a laser at a police helicopter. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Stansbury of the FBI Louisville Field Office, and Chief Paul Humphrey of the Louisville Metro Police Department.
"This senseless act could easily have resulted in tragedy for the crew of the helicopter, other aircraft, and citizens on the ground," stated U.S. Attorney Bennett. "We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to aggressively identify and charge anyone who engages in this type of criminal conduct. I commend the FBI and LMPD for their prompt investigative work in identifying and apprehending Mr. Freeman."
Court documents reveal that Justin E. Freeman, 33, from Louisville, Kentucky, received his sentence for directing a laser beam at an aircraft on or about September 30, 2023. Following his period of incarceration and home confinement, Freeman will undergo two years of supervised release.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Judd and investigated by both the FBI and the Louisville Metro Police Department with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration.