A man from Lucas County, Ohio, has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly pointing a laser pointer at an aircraft while it was in flight. Branden Jay Lounsbury, 41, of Toledo, faces one count of Aiming a Laser Pointer at an Aircraft or its Flight Path.
The indictment states that on June 2, 2025, Lounsbury aimed a laser pointer at an Ohio State Highway Patrol helicopter as it flew within United States airspace. This action is considered a violation of Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 39A(a). The risks associated with such behavior include potential permanent injury to pilots’ eyesight and the possibility of causing an aircraft crash.
Lounsbury was arrested in Michigan on February 10 after the indictment was unsealed. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tracey Tangeman and investigated by the FBI Toledo Resident Agency, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and the Toledo Police Department.
If convicted, Lounsbury could face up to five years in federal prison. Sentencing will depend on several factors unique to the case such as his prior criminal record and role in the offense.
“An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt,” according to information released about the case.
