John Acres' Jasper "Most Powerful Class III Laser Money Can Buy"

As the government continues to press its case against a New Jersey man who's reportedly admitted he shone a powerful handheld laser on at least two aircraft over the past few weeks, what's happening with the company that sold it to him?

Indeed, inventor and entrepreneur John Acres says he's been questioned by the FBI on the matter -- but won't say much more than that. His Jasper Class III laser -- "the most powerful Class III laser money can buy" -- has been on the market for seven months, selling for $119 through his website.

"I don't feel embarrassed; I feel bad for the guy that he was dumb enough to do this. It's a great tool for thousands of people who love it," Acres said in a phone interview with the Portland Oregonian.

"You always hear about that one person in a thousand who does something unbelievably dumb, and you just wonder why," Acres told the paper.

Acres said his handheld laser, which is about the size of a flashlight, can light up targets that are several miles away. Birdwatchers use the Jasper to spot specific birds in specific trees, although Acres cautions them not to shine the laser in birds' eyes. The light is so intense that Acres said astronomy buffs and professors use it to point out individual stars in the sky.

Acres apparently faces no criminal allegations at this point. The Jasper is still on the market, as are a number of other handheld Class III lasers built and marketed by other companies. On the other hand, as ANN has reported, New Jersey resident David Banach faces 25-years in prison and a $500,000 fine if convicted under the Patriot Act. He was arraigned by a federal magistrate on Tuesday and freed on $100,000 bond.

FMI: www.bigha.com, www.fbi.gov