Arizona Man Sentenced to Prison for Targeting Military Jets with Laser Pointer

A 56-year-old Arizona man was sentenced to ten months in federal prison on June 15 for repeatedly aiming a laser pointer at U.S. Air Force F-35 fighter jets, a crime that authorities say posed a significant threat to pilot safety and national security.

William Wilson, of Buckeye, Ariz., appeared before U.S. District Judge Steven Logan to receive his sentence. Wilson had pleaded guilty to two counts of aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft, following an investigation that spanned several months of activity in the skies surrounding Luke Air Force Base.

Between September 2024 and January 2025, investigators tracked a series of laser strikes hitting military aircraft conducting training exercises in the airspace near the base. The activity intensified on the night of Jan. 8, 2025. During that nighttime mission, an FBI surveillance plane, along with two F-35 fighter jets, was hit by laser beams originating from a residence in Buckeye.

The FBI successfully captured video evidence of the laser strikes emanating from Wilson’s home. Following the incident, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the property, where they discovered one red and one green laser pointer. Wilson admitted to federal agents that he had knowingly pointed the devices at aircraft on multiple occasions.

"Directing a laser pointer at aircraft of any kind, much less an Air Force F-35, is extremely dangerous and a federal felony," said FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Day. "The FBI advises people to think twice before committing this crime because we’re focused on identifying and investigating people who do, and a federal prosecution could lead you straight to prison."

"Military pilots risk their lives to protect Americans," said U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine. "They should not have to worry about threats from people on the ground when they are training here at home. Interfering with any aircraft is dangerous, and the United States Attorney’s Office can and will protect our pilots by bringing bad actors to justice."

Special Agent Keith Daniels, senior enlisted leader of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) Detachment 421, reaffirmed the commitment of the military to cooperate with law enforcement to prevent these incidents. "The Air Force Office of Special Investigations will continue to partner with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to hold offenders accountable for their actions," Daniels said.

Wilson was originally indicted on July 29, 2025, on four counts of aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft. As part of a plea agreement, he pleaded guilty to two of those counts.