McALLEN, Texas – A 46-year-old McAllen resident has been
taken into custody for allegedly aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft,
announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Law enforcement took Ruth Ann Hopp into custody Friday. She
made her initial appearance this morning, at which time she was ordered
temporarily into custody pending a detention hearing set for today at 4:00 p.m.
The criminal complaint alleges Hopp is responsible for
lasing numerous aircrafts that had attempted to land at McAllen International
Airport.
The investigation began after numerous pilots had complained
about similar incidents involving lasers.
Lasers have a dangerous effect on pilots when the beams of
light strike an aircraft. The light can temporarily blind them. A laser, when
aimed at an aircraft, can create a visual distraction or cause discomfort or
even damage to a pilot’s eyes.
The criminal complaint alleges the instances in which Hopp
is charged occurred during the landing portion of different flights, when the
pilots need to be most alert. This represents a danger to not only the pilots,
but the passengers of the planes as well as the people on the ground.
If convicted, Hopp faces up to five years in prison and a
possible $250,000 maximum fine.
The FBI and Customs and Border Protection Air & Marine
Branch conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney K. Alejandra
Andrade is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal
conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through
due process of law.
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