Tulsan gets probation in laser case

A 53-year-old Tulsa man was sentenced Monday after pleading guilty earlier to pointing a laser at a Tulsa police helicopter.

U.S. District Judge John Dowdell sentenced Jay Scott Howell to serve one year of probation during a sentencing hearing held at Tulsa federal court.

In his request for probation, Howell cited his age, a limited criminal history and remorse for his actions. Sentencing guidelines recommended Howell serve 18 months to 24 months in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Allen Litchfield did not object to the probation request filed on behalf of Howell.

“He’s the perfect candidate,” Litchfield told Dowdell during the sentencing hearing. “I don’t anticipate ever seeing Mr. Howell again.”

Howell pleaded guilty April 10 to knowingly directing a laser pointer at a Tulsa police helicopter on Dec. 29. The judge, in summarizing the case, said Howell pointed a green laser pointer 11 times at a Tulsa Police helicopter.

A federal grand jury indicted Howell on Feb. 7 on one count of aiming a laser pointer beam at a Bell 206L4 helicopter owned by the city of Tulsa.

After the Monday hearing, Litchfield said lasers have a dangerous effect on pilots when the beams of light strike a aircraft. The light can temporarily blind pilots.

“We take it very seriously,” Litchfield said.

The message, Litchfield said, is that although lasers are perfectly legal to possess, it is a federal offense to point them at an aircraft.

“If we can pinpoint them, we’ll file (charges),” Litchfield said.

If his probation is revoked, Howell could be ordered to serve up to five years in prison, which is the maximum term for the offense.

A Tennessee man was killed when his motorcycle crashed Monday morning, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

Freddy E. Cook, 67, died at the scene, troopers said.

About 10 a.m., Cook, of Savannah, Tenn., was driving west on U.S. 83, about 18 miles south of Turpin in Beaver County, when he struck another motorcycle and rolled, according to a patrol report.

The other motorcyclist was not hurt, troopers said. Both men were wearing helmets.