Photo Courtesy of RJE Merchandise
The helicopter pilots reported seeing a bright, green beam of light.
By Michael V. Cusenza
A Brooklyn man has been arrested for allegedly directing a laser pointer at a U.S. Department of Homeland Security helicopter that was providing security for a United Nations General Assembly delegation in September, federal prosecutors announced on Monday.
Douglas Tetreau was arraigned on Monday and released on his own recognizance. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison.
According to the complaint, on Friday, Sept. 28, around 8:30 p.m., as two pilots were providing security for the delegation, a bright, green beam of light penetrated the cockpit of the helicopter. One of the pilots said he observed the beam appear to track the aircraft’s flight pattern. He also said that since they were operating in the vicinity of the approach path for LaGuardia Airport they had illuminated all external lights on the helicopter so they would be visible to aircraft on approach to LaGuardia.
The DHS helicopter’s other pilot said he was able to track the light’s origin and lock onto its location—Devoe Street in Brooklyn—using the helicopter’s on-board camera equipment, according to the complaint.
Based on the pilots’ reports, a U.S. Secret Service agent was dispatched to the Devoe Street address that night. The agent found Tetreau at the address and during an interview Tetreau “stated that he had pointed the laser pointer at a drone,” and produced said laser pointer from his pocket.
