Mich. man gets 366 days in helicopter laser case - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

Mich. man gets 366 days in helicopter laser case

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DETROIT (AP) - A Detroit-area man who aimed a green laser at federal agents inside a helicopter has been sentenced to a year and a day in prison.

Detroit federal Judge Victoria Roberts says it's "simply a blessing" that the pilot didn't lose control and crash in Madison Heights.

Dennis Berthiaume (Buhr-THUME') was playing with the laser in 2010 when he aimed it at a helicopter that was following illegal immigrants. Pilot Michael Sackman of Customs and Border Protection says he felt a sudden flash of blindness, similar to looking directly at the sun. He suffered no permanent eye damage.

Berthiaume apologized to the pilot in court Wednesday and said he was simply curious about the laser. A sentence of 366 days will allow Berthiaume to shave time off for good behavior.

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