Suffolk County Police arrested a 21-year-old St. James man after they say he pointed a green laser at an airplane and the ensuing police helicopter sent out to determine the laser's location.
David Smith was charged with obstructing governmental administration in the second degree and may face future charges from the New York Port Authority and New Jersey Terrorism Task Force.
According to police, the Federal Aviation Administration notified SCPD that an aircraft had been targeted around 9:55 p.m. by a green laser pointer on the ground. While a responding helicopter approached the airspace where the alleged initial incident occurred, police said the helicopter was also targeted by the laser.
Using units on the ground in the Fourth Precinct and Community Oriented Police Enforcement, Smith's residence on King Arthur's Court was determined to be the location, they said. He was arrested less than an hour after the FAA contacted SCPD.
Police said the investigation is continuing.
