Colorado Man Charged with Pointing Laser at Fresno Sheriff Helicopter

By Anthony W. Haddad

Published 3 months ago on

April 3, 2025

A Colorado man has been charged with aiming a laser pointer at a Fresno County Sheriff’s helicopter, a crime that carries up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. (GV Wire File)

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

A Colorado man has been charged with aiming a laser pointer at a Fresno County Sheriff’s Office helicopter, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.

Martin Joseph Avila, 66, of Longmont, was arrested and ordered to appear in federal court in Fresno on April 16, 2025, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced.

Between May 28 and 29, 2024, Avila allegedly pointed a laser at Eagle 1, a sheriff’s helicopter operating in Fresno County, according to an indictment.

Federal aviation officials warn that laser strikes pose a serious risk to pilots by causing visual impairment.

Prosecutors said the Federal Aviation Administration received 12,840 reports of laser incidents in 2024, with California leading the nation at 1,489 cases.

The FBI and the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. If convicted, Avila faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, prosecutors said.

—

Connect with Anthony W. Haddad on social media. Got a tip? Send an email.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Trump to Sign Tax-Cut and Spending Bill in July 4 Ceremony

DON'T MISS

Madre Fire Spurs Evacuations Across 3 Counties, Grows to More Than 70,000 Acres

DON'T MISS

Clovis, Sanger, Madera, and Bass Lake Will Light the Sky With Fireworks Shows Tonight

DON'T MISS

Oil Dips Ahead of Expected OPEC+ Output Increase

DON'T MISS

613 Killed at Gaza Aid Distribution Sites, Near Humanitarian Covoys, Says UN

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Authorities Investigating Suspicious Death of Transient Man

DON'T MISS

West Bank Town Becomes ‘Big Prison’ as Israel Fences It In

DON'T MISS

Israeli Military Kills 20 in Gaza as Trump Awaits Hamas Reply to Truce Proposal

DON'T MISS

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Rachelle Maria Blanco

DON'T MISS

Russia Pounds Kyiv With Largest Drone Attack, Hours After Trump-Putin Call

UP NEXT

Madre Fire Spurs Evacuations Across 3 Counties, Grows to More Than 70,000 Acres

UP NEXT

Clovis, Sanger, Madera, and Bass Lake Will Light the Sky With Fireworks Shows Tonight

UP NEXT

Oil Dips Ahead of Expected OPEC+ Output Increase

UP NEXT

613 Killed at Gaza Aid Distribution Sites, Near Humanitarian Covoys, Says UN

UP NEXT

Fresno County Authorities Investigating Suspicious Death of Transient Man

UP NEXT

West Bank Town Becomes ‘Big Prison’ as Israel Fences It In

UP NEXT

Israeli Military Kills 20 in Gaza as Trump Awaits Hamas Reply to Truce Proposal

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Rachelle Maria Blanco

UP NEXT

Russia Pounds Kyiv With Largest Drone Attack, Hours After Trump-Putin Call

UP NEXT

Boxer Chavez Jr Expected to Be Deported to Mexico to Serve Sentence, Mexican President Says

Anthony W. Haddad,

Multimedia Journalist

Anthony W. Haddad, who graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with his undergraduate degree and attended Fresno State for a MBA, is the Swiss Army knife of GV Wire. He writes stories, manages social media, and represents the organization on the ground.