A Monmouth County resident has been charged with aiming a laser at a federal law enforcement aircraft, as announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna.
James M. Pedone, 27, from Colts Neck, New Jersey, faces charges for allegedly pointing a laser beam at an aircraft within the special jurisdiction of the United States. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leda Dunn Wettre in Newark federal court on February 13, 2025.
Court documents reveal that on December 12, 2024, Pedone reportedly directed a laser beam three times at an aircraft operated by federal law enforcement near Colts Neck. He mistakenly believed the aircraft was a drone.
The offense of knowingly aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft under U.S. jurisdiction can result in up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Acting U.S. Attorney Khanna acknowledged the efforts of FBI Newark Joint Terrorism Task Force's special agents and officers, led by Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly in Newark, along with the Colts Neck Police Department under Chief Daniel DeVito for their roles in the investigation leading to these charges.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Vincent D. Romano from the National Security Unit in Newark is representing the government in this case.
It is important to note that charges and allegations are accusations only; Pedone is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Defense counsel for Pedone is Michael Thomas, Esq.