St. Paul Bicyclist Charged for Aiming Laser at Patrol Helicopter

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Dashawn Lamar Jones, a 34-year-old St. Paul resident, has been charged with a gross misdemeanor after allegedly aiming a green laser pointer at a Minnesota State Patrol helicopter as it was landing. Troopers say they first stopped Jones while he was riding a bicycle, then found the laser pointer stashed under a parked vehicle after a second encounter.

Why it matters

Lasers aimed at aircraft cockpits can cause dangerous visual interference for pilots, putting both crews and people on the ground at risk. The Federal Aviation Administration has logged thousands of laser strike incidents in recent years and urges the public to report any such incidents to authorities.

The details

According to a criminal complaint, on Halloween night 2025, a Minnesota State Patrol helicopter crew reported being struck by a green laser as they were landing. Investigators say they were able to trace the laser back to Jones, who they first stopped while he was riding a bicycle. After a second encounter, police say they found a laser pointer stashed under a parked vehicle. Jones allegedly told officers he had shined the laser and tossed it away between the two stops. Prosecutors will now decide whether to pursue the maximum sentence of 364 days in jail and a $3,000 fine for the gross misdemeanor charge.

• On Halloween night 2025, the State Patrol helicopter crew reported being struck by a green laser while landing.
• On April 17, 2026, the arrest and criminal complaint against Dashawn Lamar Jones were first reported.

What’s next

Prosecutors will decide whether to pursue the maximum sentence of 364 days in jail and a $3,000 fine for the gross misdemeanor charge against Dashawn Lamar Jones.