bakersfield man pleads guilty to flashing laser at helicopter

Courtesy KCSO

bakersfield man pleads guilty to flashing laser at helicopter

A Bakersfield man has pleaded guilty to shining a laser at a Kern County Sheriff’s helicopter.

Federal prosecutors say Brett Hair, 23, struck the aircraft at least fifteen times while it flew near Meadows Field Airport last September.

Deputies tracked the laser to a home where Hair allegedly aimed the beam directly into the cockpit.

Hair faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine when he’s sentenced August 4.