A West Valley man was sentenced to ten months in prison for aiming a laser pointer at US Air Force F-35 fighter jets, police said Thursday.
William Wilson, 56, of Buckeye, has pled guilty to aiming a laser pointer at multiple fighter jets exercising near Luke Air Force Base between September 2024 and January 2025, according to the United States Attorney’s Office District of Arizona.
On January 8, 2025, lasers struck pilots of two F-35 fighters as well as pilots of an FBI plane that was surveilling and detected laser strikes coming from Wilson’s residence.
During a check of Wilson’s home, police discovered two lasers, one red and one green, and he admitted to directing them at planes on several occasions.
“Military pilots risk their lives to protect Americans,” U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine declared. “They should not have to worry about threats from people on the ground when they are training here at home.”
Rebecca Day, FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge, stated that directing a laser directly at an aircraft, particularly an F-35 fighter jet, is exceedingly risky.
“Interfering with aircraft via lasers or other means is dangerous and illegal. It jeopardizes the safety of the aircrew, passengers, and everyone on the ground,” said Special Agent Keith M. Daniels, Senior Enlisted Leader of AFOSI Detachment 421.
The inquiry was carried out by the FBI’s Phoenix Division and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.
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