Stock photo.
A Florida construction worker is about to face some serious consequences. Guillermo Negron Roque, a 47-year-old, found himself behind bars awaiting second-degree felony charges after he aimed a laser at a Florida Highway Patrol aircraft. FHP pilot J.C. Pollack, patrolling at around 1,000 feet above ground level (agl) at 6:30 in the morning on February 6th over Orlando, was temporarily blinded by the intense green light. However, he managed to pinpoint the source of the blinding light – a multi-story construction site located on the downtown campus of the University of Central Florida.
After safely landing at Orlando Executive Airport, Pollack drove his patrol car to the construction site to investigate. The site supervisor informed him that someone had been using a laser on the project but didn’t know who it was. Pollack questioned several workers who denied having a laser, but three hours later, the supervisors identified Kissimmee resident Negron Rogue, explaining that he was using the laser as a pointer to identify work sites on the seventh and eighth floors. The supervisors told the FHP that Negron Roque claimed he saw a low-flying plane pass through the laser beam.
Pollack didn’t buy that explanation. He pointed out that not only was he flying well above the height of the building but also that he observed the laser beam aimed at his aircraft twice, from different locations.
Aiming a laser at an aircraft is a federal crime, punishable by up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both.
