A Philadelphia man with no previous criminal record has been ordered to spend a year and a half in federal prison for pointing a green laser light into the cockpit of a city police helicopter in June 2009.
It's unclear whether 22-year-old Lenny Tavarez knew it was a police helicopter, or that the laser could cause a crash.
Police Lt. Anthony Ginaldi says he was temporarily blinded and lost control of the aircraft until fellow officer Chris Clemens took control as they flew over a city neighborhood.
Last month another Pennsylvania man was sentenced to prison for shining a laser at the same two helicopter pilots. James Gautieri was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine.
Tavares has been ordered to report to federal custody in two weeks.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
