Stargazing Could Lead To 20 Years In Jail

A New Jersey man pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges he pointed a hand-held laser at the crew of a charter flight as it passed overhead, temporarily blinding both pilots.

David Banach, 39, of Parsippany could get probation alone after pleading guilty to one count of interfering with the pilots of a passenger aircraft --- or, he could also be sentenced to as much as 20-years behind bars, according to the Associated Press.

As was reported in Aero-News, Banach was indicted in March for "reckless endangerment of human life" for pointing the laser into the cockpit of the passing jet.

The charter was flying from Boca Raton, FL to Teterboro with six passengers on board when the pilots said they were painted by the laser three times. Both said they lost their night vision for a time.

Branach was charged under a provision of the controversial USA Patriot Act. His lawyer had argued that the law is unconstitutional.

"It should be limited to acts of terrorism," attorney Gina Mendola-Longarzo told reporters following the guilty plea. "Any interference with mass transit that's reckless would qualify," she said, adding that driving recklessly near a bus could conceivably qualify.

There's no indication why Branach decided to enter a guilty plea. Mendola-Longarzo had previously maintained her client had used the laser pointer to look at stars with one of his daughters.

There is also no word on whether Branach struck a deal with prosecutors.

FMI: www.usdoj.gov