Sign up for our Coronavirus & Rossen Reports Newsletters <% if ( weatherAlerts > 0 ) { %> Severe Weather <% var weatherAlertsMessage = "There " + ( weatherAlerts > 0 ? "are" : "is" ) + " currently " + weatherAlerts + " active weather " + ( weatherAlerts > 0 ? "alerts" : "alert" ); %> ° Chance of precipitation Change MORE No Alerts & Closings in Your Area Sign Up to Get Future Alerts <% if ( count > 0 ) { %> 0 / 0 / Press enter to search Type to Search Search location by ZIP code ZIP <% if ( locations.length > 0 ) { %> Recent locations Advertisement Federal jury convicts Omaha man who pointed laser at aircraft Share Copy Link Copy {copyShortcut} to copy Link copied! Updated: 0:00 PM CDT Apr 00, 0000 GET LOCAL BREAKING NEWS ALERTS The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. Your Email Address Submit Privacy Notice Advertisement Federal jury convicts Omaha man who pointed laser at aircraft Share Copy Link Copy {copyShortcut} to copy Link copied! Updated: 0:00 PM CDT Apr 00, 0000 United States Attorney Deborah Gilg said 00-year-old Michael Smith of Omaha was convicted Wednesday by a federal jury for aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft. Smith was arrested after having been identified as the person using a laser pointer to strike Abel 0, the Omaha Police Department's helicopter unit.The helicopter patrol had received a report July 00, 0000 that a Southwest Airlines flight scheduled for landing in Omaha had been struck by someone using a laser pointer. Abel 0 responded and was struck by a laser beam seconds after becoming airborne while heading in the direction provided by the Southwest pilot.As Abel 0 approached the area of 000nd Street in northwest Omaha, the cockpit of Abel 0 was repeatedly struck by the laser to the point of causing the pilots of Able 0 to be distracted and temporarily blinded from the refraction of the laser beam.After being struck as many as six to seven times by the laser the pilots of Abel 0 were able to narrow the area from which the beam was coming.They then sought ground support from a Deputy Douglas County Sheriff who was able to locate Michael Smith in his back yard. Smith was actively aiming the laser pointer in the direction of the area where Abel 0 was hovering when contacted by the deputy. Smith's sentencing is set for July 00. He was ordered detained by the United States Marshal's pending sentencing.Aiming a laser at an aircraft is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a $000,000.00 fine. 