PORTLAND, Ore. — An Oregon man has pleaded not guilty to charges of aiming a laser pointer at two commercial airliners.
Stephen Francis Bukucs, a private security guard who lives in Portland, entered the plea in federal court in Portland on Monday.
The 39-year-old suspect was indicted and arrested last week. Prosecutors say he admitted pointing a green laser light at aircraft at least 25 times and said he did it “for excitement.”
The lasers can temporarily blind pilots.
Prosecutors and his lawyer, Mark Cogan, say Bukucs is addicted to pain killers, and Judge Dennis J. Hubel ordered a mental health evaluation.
Bukucs was released. He must relinquish control of four guns but can keep a fifth for work.
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