Aircraft Was Engaged In A Marijuana Eradication Program

A Winn Parish, LA, man has been found guilty of shooting at an Army National Guard helicopter that was assisting in a search for a marijuana field in August, 2010.

According to a news release from the United States Attorney, a jury returned guilty verdicts against 61-year-old James Lamar Kelly, who was charged with three felonies for the shooting. The charges included endangering the safety of the pilot, committing an act of violence against the pilot, and using a deadly and dangerous weapon to forcibly assault, resist, oppose, impede, intimidate, and interfere with the pilot.

The trial in U.S District Court in Alexandria, LA, lasted two days, according to television station KALB in Alexandria, LA. The marijuana investigation was being conducted by the Winn Parish Sheriff's Office and the Louisiana State Police, with assistance from the helicopters based at Camp Beauregard in Pineville, LA. The jury heard testimony that Kelly fired on the aircraft from the ground with a 9 mm handgun that was recovered when he was arrested. Neither the pilot or another trooper on board was injured in the incident, and the aircraft was reportedly not damaged.

Kelly is currently free on bond pending a Dec. 14 sentencing. He could serve as many as 20 years in prison on each count, and be assessed a $250,000 fine.

FMI: www.lawd.uscourts.gov