Washington, D.C. — Federal prosecutors have charged a man with aiming a laser pointer at Marine One as President Donald Trump departed the White House over the weekend, according to a sworn affidavit filed Monday in U.S. District Court.
The affidavit states that Secret Service was securing the flight path for Marine One near 17th Street and Constitution Avenue NW on the evening of Sept. 20 when an officer noticed a shirtless man, identified as Jacob Samuel Winkler, behaving loudly and erratically
Santiago said he shined his flashlight to see better in the dimly lit area. Winkler allegedly responded by directing a red laser beam into the officer’s eyes, briefly disorienting him. Moments later, as the presidential helicopter flew low overhead, Winkler reportedly pointed the same red laser toward Marine One, which carried President Trump southbound over the Washington Monument.
The officer considered the action a serious hazard as a sudden flash of red light could cause “flash blindness” or disorient pilots during low-level flight.
Officers quickly detained Winkler and seized the laser pointer and also found a small fixed-blade knife, about three inches long, in Winkler’s possession. After being handcuffed, Winkler repeatedly said, “I should apologize to Donald Trump” and “I apologize to Donald Trump,” the filing states.
Winkler later waived his Miranda rights and admitted during questioning that he had pointed the laser at the helicopter. He said he was unaware that it was illegal, adding that he typically shines the laser at objects like stop signs.
Federal authorities charged Winkler under 18 U.S.C. § 39A, which makes it a crime to knowingly aim a laser pointer at an aircraft or its flight path.
President Trump was flying to Mount Vernon to attend a dinner by the American Cornerstone Institute, a conservative organization founded by former Trump cabinet member Ben Carson.
