St. Charles Man Indicted on Federal Charges of Pointing a Laser at In-Flight Aircraft

ST. LOUIS—The United States Attorney’s Office announced today that Brian David Monday was indicted for allegedly pointing a green laser beam into the cockpit of an airplane and a helicopter while they were in flight on November 4, 2011. The alleged incidents took place in St. Charles County.

Monday, 30, St. Charles, MO, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of interfering with an airplane and a helicopter.

If convicted, this charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000. In determining the actual sentences, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

“It is important to understand that the laser is no longer a pinpoint but a bright spotlight by the time it hits an aircraft, said Thomas R. Metz, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI St. Louis Division. “It interferes with the operation of an aircraft because pilots are temporarily blinded.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

As is always the case, charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.