Omaha man gets over a year in prison for aiming laser pointer at police helicopter

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – An Omaha man will spend over a year behind bars for aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said 34-year-old Richard Detty was sentenced Wednesday to one year and three months in prison.

On Oct. 23, 2021, Detty aimed the laser pointer at an Omaha Police Department helicopter.

The helicopter was on patrol at the time, the attorney’s office said.

The pilot was startled by the sudden beam of light but maintained level flight.  No one in the helicopter was injured.

After his release from prison, Detty will serve a two-year term of supervised release.  There is no parole in the federal system.