SLO County man arrested for allegedly aiming ‘high-powered’ laser pointer at CHP plane
A Nipomo man was arrested for allegedly aiming a “high-powered green laser” at a CHP aircraft, the agency says.
On Feb. 28, an agency airplane crew was providing aerial support Feb. 28 for a multi-agency operation in south San Luis Obispo County, the CHP said in a news release Tuesday.
At approximately 9:32 p.m., the crew was flying over the Nipomo area when the aircraft was “struck multiple times by a high powered green laser,” the CHP said.
The pilot had to divert course to minimize the visual impact of the laser to the flight crew, the release says.
The crew was reportedly able to identify the source of the laser, which the CHP says came from the front yard of a residence located in the 600 block of Southland Street.
The CHP and supporting agency patrol units responded to the house and contacted 51-year-old Zammy Castellanos, the CHP said.
After an investigation, officers allegedly discovered the high-powered laser and arrested Castellanos on suspicion of willfully and maliciously discharging a laser at an aircraft.
The felony violation could result in imprisonment for up to five years and a civil penalty up to $25,000, the CHP says.
The agency said that pointing any type of laser at an aircraft in motion or flight can cause injury and may seriously hinder the pilot’s ability to safely control the aircraft.
No one was hurt in the Feb. 28 incident, the CHP said.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Castellanos remained in custody at San Luis Obispo County Jail on suspicion of the felony and one other unlisted charge in lieu of $20,000 bail.
This story was originally published March 3, 2020 at 3:43 PM.
