FALMOUTH, Maine — A 19-year-old Falmouth man has been charged with the criminal use of a laser pointer after complaints were received Friday night by a commercial aircraft and a boat operator.
John Bagonzi was issued a summons by Falmouth police shortly before 10 p.m. at the town landing pier in Falmouth, according to Falmouth Police Sgt. Frank Soule III.
The investigation began shortly before 8:30 p.m. Friday when the department received a call from the Portland International Jetport that a commercial airline pilot reported a laser being pointed at his cockpit. The pilot estimated the pointer was located about seven miles north/northeast of the jetport.
Officers patrolled but were unable to locate anyone because the location from the pilot was not specific enough.
Shortly after 9 p.m., Falmouth police received a second complaint from a launch operator at the Portland Yacht Club of someone pointing a green laser pointer at his vessel, making it difficult for him to operate his vessel.
The operator said the source of the laser appeared to be from the Falmouth Town Landing area, Soule said.
Officers went to the town landing and several people were getting into their vehicles, preparing to leave. Officers detained the people as part of the investigation.
As a result of the questioning, Bagonzi was issued the summons. Officer Kurt Fegan was the investigating officer.
The laser pointer was seized and is being kept as evidence. Sgt. Soule said the pointer was a powerful one.
The Federal Aviation Administration is reviewing the incident for any potential further action by that federal agency, Soule said.
The criminal use of a laser pointer is a Class D offense, Soule said. The maximum punishment for a Class D crime is 364 days in jail and a fine of $2,000.
Falmouth is becoming the crime capital of Maine
Really I thought that title was reserved for Bangor and its Methadone addicts.
So you think Bangor has more Methadone patients than Portland? Augusta? How about Lewiston? I bet you’re wrong. I’m originally from another state and I’ve seen much worse.
You have no clue. What is your point anyway? Better that some people are trying to get clean than just using and commiting crimes.
This young man could have caused a serious accident, and he tried more than once. He needs to be held accountable, and I hope he does not just get a little slap on the wrist. If actions like this are not treated seriously, the behavior is likely to escalate.
And copy cats will come out of the wood work.
They need to set an strong example so no one else thinks this is a fun thing to do. Blinding the pilot of a ship or plan can end in a disaster. Glad everyone was OK.
Absolutely: off with his head. Teenagers sure never did anything dumb when I was one…..
How soon adults forget… or lie.
those lasers are not toys he shud get a stiff punishment that could have crashed that plane
really?
Glad they caught this man before he caused deaths.
knucklehead…
maybe he was just trying to say hi
Kids are stupid now a days. After 9/11 and all that, and they still think its a funny joke to do crap like that.
9/11, you are funny. Yes this man needs to be arrested. But for you to follow the old scare tatics by bringing up 9/11 is getting old. The bill of rights of americans has been abolished and retension centers set up for americans and warrantless arrest where americans can be held for life or killed without charges because people scream 9/11…
yea because 9/11 is so yesterday. I am sure to all those involved it seems like a distant memory.
I really do get your point, but pushtheredbutton makes a good one too. We’ve given up an awful lot in the name of 9/11.
That said, I would call for a vigorous prosecution of this man.
9/11 wasn’t a result of lasers and really this article has nothing to do with terrorism… so the whole 9/11 comment really isn’t even warranted in this case.
I hope he gets the 364 days in jail!! What kind of peice of crap do you need to be to do something so ignorant.
Since when is pointing a laser at an airplane funny? What in the heck was he thinking? Then he pointed it at a boat? Just plain stupid. Fine him big time.