Federal Grand Jury Returns Indictment Charging Shreveport Woman with Aiming Laser Pointer at Aircraft

SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that a federal grand jury in Shreveport returned an indictment today charging April Nicole Poitras with aiming a laser pointer at multiple aircraft flying in Caddo Parish, Louisiana.

The indictment charges Poitras, 45, of Shreveport, with two counts of aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft, which is a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 39(A). It is alleged in the indictment that on or about August 15, 2023, Poitras knowingly aimed the beam of a laser pointer at an aircraft and at the flight path of a Cessna 172L aircraft and an Airbus H125 aircraft.

An indictment is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

If convicted, Poitras faces a sentence of up to 5 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000, on each count in the indictment.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office, Blanchard Police Department and Baltimore Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Seth D. Reeg.

# # #