Man Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Laser Attack on Delta Flight Landing in Buffalo

A judge has sentenced a man to 18 months in prison after he aimed a green laser pointer at a Delta Air Lines jet on final approach to Buffalo Niagara International Airport, temporarily blinding the flight crew and endangering everyone on board.

The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo, sends a clear message that federal prosecutors continue to treat laser strikes on aircraft as serious felonies, even when defendants claim they did not understand the consequences of their actions.

What Happened on Approach

The incident occurred on March 2, 2024, as Delta Flight 2334 was descending toward Buffalo. The pilot reported to Buffalo Air Traffic Control that a bright green laser struck the cockpit for between 60 and 90 seconds during the most critical phase of flight. The captain and first officer told investigators that the beam illuminated the flight deck repeatedly, forcing them to shield their eyes while continuing to fly. Despite the interference, the crew landed safely and immediately alerted law enforcement.

Officers from the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority Police Department and the Cheektowaga Police Department were dispatched to investigate. The laser source was identified after a neighbor reported a green laser shining through his kitchen window. Officers went to a nearby residence in Cheektowaga, where they recovered a laser pointer in the defendant's bedroom.

The Defendant and His Defense

The defendant's attorneys argued during sentencing that their client is profoundly autistic with a fascination with light and fire, and that his disability limited his understanding of aviation safety warnings. He also has an extensive criminal history, including attempted solicitation of a minor, assault, and trespassing.

Prosecutors rejected the disability argument, pointing out that federal law prohibits aiming lasers at aircraft regardless of intent. The judge agreed, imposing a prison term within federal sentencing guidelines. 

A Federal Crime With Serious Penalties

Pointing a laser at an aircraft became a specific federal crime in 2012, following a sharp rise in reported incidents. The offense carries a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and fines of up to $250,000. The FAA recorded 10,994 laser strikes in 2025, a welcome 14% decrease year-on-year, though incidents remain far higher than historical totals. The FAA has recorded 337 pilot injuries associated with laser strikes since it began tracking reports in 2010.
 

Aviation safety experts warn that even low-powered handheld lasers can produce dangerous effects when directed at a cockpit. The beam spreads over distance and can flood a dark flight deck with intense light, causing temporary blindness, disorientation, and in some cases lasting eye damage.

Why the Timing Made It Worse

The Buffalo incident happened during final approach, when pilots are managing airspeed, configuring the aircraft for landing, and monitoring instruments in rapid succession. Investigators confirmed that neither pilot required extended medical treatment, though both were evaluated after landing. No passengers were injured.

A Warning to Others

Federal officials used the sentencing to remind the public that laser pointers are not toys when aimed at aircraft. The FBI operates a reward program offering up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of individuals who target aircraft with lasers. 

Similar sentences in recent years have ranged from probation to multi-year prison terms, depending on the circumstances and the defendant's criminal history. A moment of reckless behavior on the ground can produce years behind bars and put hundreds of lives at risk in the air.