Jesse Torres-Alonso Faces Up To Five Years in Prison

On February 11, 35-year-old Jesse Torres-Alonso pled guilty to pointing a laser beam at Kern County’s Air One helicopter. He now faces up to five years in the can as well as a $250,000 maximum fine.

The charge stems from an incident on September 28, 2023, in which Torres targeted a Kern County Sheriff’s Office helicopter (Air One) with a green laser beam… Not once, not twice, but twelve times. Luckily, law enforcement officers were able to track down both Torres and his laser pointer, which was ironically labeled with a big “DANGER” warning.

According to a Department of Justice statement, the laser strikes “interfered with the pilot’s ability to see and avoid other aircraft and effectively monitor the aircraft instrument panel.”

While the incident itself is troubling, it is not unique. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported 13,304 laser strikes across the country in 2023, marking a 41% increase from the 9,457 incidents in 2022.

"Aiming a laser at an aircraft is a serious safety hazard and a violation of federal law," an FAA statement read. In fact, laser strikes have been a federal crime since 2012 and are punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, though many get off easy. The typical fine per violation is less than $11,000 and goes up to $30,800 for repeat offenders.

Torres is set to be sentenced on May 20, 2025, by US District Judge John A. Mendez. He faces up to the maximum penalty, with the final sentence depending on various statutory factors.

The helicopter involved in the laser strike is part of KCSO’s air support unit. The fleet includes three fixed-wing aircraft, including a Cessna Turbo Centurion T-210 N, Cessna Turbo Stationair T-206H, and Turbo Commander 690A. It also operates five rotorcraft: two MD 500Es, two Bell OH-58As, and a Bell Huey II.

FMI: www.kernsheriff.org