San Antonio woman sentenced to prison for pointing laser at SAPD helicopter

SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) — A San Antonio woman will spend three years in prison after she was found guilty of aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft.

According to federal court documents, Sandra Roberson, 60, used a laser to persistently strike a San Antonio Police Department helicopter on Nov. 3, 2023. Prosecutors say the laser endangered the crew and people on the ground while also forcing the chopper to divert from an investigation involving a shooting.

“Shooting lasers at aircraft is incredibly dangerous to the flight crew, passengers, and people on the ground,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “This type of illegal behavior risks damaging the pilots’ lives and vision and increases the chances of a crash.

Roberson was arrested January 30, 2024 and pleaded guilty September 5.