Arrests Made in Laser Attack Incident

Federal law enforcement in Portland has arrested four undocumented individuals following an incident involving laser strikes on two U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) helicopters over the weekend. This operation led to the arrests of those suspected of carrying out the laser attack, alongside the confiscation of the laser device.

The investigation stemmed from images taken by CBP pilots during the incident, which clearly depicted the laser attack. It’s important to note that targeting an aircraft with a laser is a federal offense that could lead to a prison sentence of up to five years and fines reaching $250,000.

According to the FBI, the operation involved agents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Portland. The search not only led to the arrest of the alleged perpetrator but also discovered three additional individuals present in the residence illegally.

In a press release on Tuesday, the Department of Homeland Security identified the four undocumented individuals:

• Diogenes Albores-Suchiapa, a Mexican national with prior arrests for illegal possession of methamphetamine and criminal trespassing, has faced multiple immigration violations previously.
• Andres Brian Lopez Labra, also from Mexico, was arrested for illegal entry and recently charged with DUI by Oregon State Police.
• Benito Zamora Alvarez, another Mexican national, claims to have been in the U.S. without authorization since October 1994.
• Hector Miranda Mendoza, a Mexican citizen, is currently illegally residing in the United States.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has warned that laser pointers can not only distract but can also temporarily blind pilots, jeopardizing the safety of everyone on board, as well as people on the ground. Apart from criminal penalties, the FAA can impose civil fines of up to $11,000 for each occurrence, and up to $30,800 for multiple incidents.

DHS Deputy Chief Tricia McLaughlin addressed the situation in a press release, stating, “These four undocumented individuals are endangering the lives of CBP officials and the safety of all other aircraft, with a staggering increase in such attacks.” 

She added, “The strike occurred just days after the terrorist incident at the Dallas ice facility and the subsequent arrests connected to armed protests outside Broadview, Illinois.”