An O'Fallon man is facing federal felonly charges for allegedly pointing a laser at a Metro St. Louis Air Support Police helicopter on May 18.
Michael Brandon Smith, 35, O’Fallon, was indicted by a federal grand jury June 6 on one felony count of aiming the beam of a laser pointer at an aircraft. The indictment was sealed until the arrest of the defendant earlier Thursday.
If convicted, this charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000.
O’Fallon Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Howard Marcus is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
