Christmas lights are pretty.
Shining laser lights at aircraft is not pretty. And it’s terribly dangerous and a crime.
50-year old Harry McClintock found that out the hard way, and earned himself the title of our #CriminalOfTheDay.
On Sunday, December 19th at about 9:30 PM, deputies from the PCSO Southwest District were looking for an endangered missing person (who was later found safe).
The deputies were being assisted by a bloodhound unit and a helicopter from the PCSO Aviation Unit. During the search, the helicopter pilots were struck several times by a green laser light, which could cause flash-blindness to a pilot, could damage a pilot’s eyes, and potentially cause an aircraft to crash.The pilots were able to locate the irresponsible man who was responsible for pointing the laser light.
The man was also directing a few obscene gestures at the pilot. Obscene gestures are one thing (not nice, but our pilots aren’t going to lose any sleep over it), but shining laser lights at the aircraft is dangerous and against the law.
Deputies found the suspect on Lake Hancock Road in unincorporated Lakeland, and he was identified as Harry McClintock.He told deputies, “I only hit that stupid helicopter a couple of times.” McClintock was also less than cooperative during his arrest, and was found to be in possession of a small amount of marijuana and paraphernalia.
Harry McClintock was charged with Unlawful Use of a Laser Light Device (F3), Resisting (M1), Possession of Marijuana (M1), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1).