Laser Light Felony Arrest

Laser Light Felony Arrest

Bruce Donath, 50, arrested.


Donath has been arrested for allegedly shining a laser light into a Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office helicopter pilot’s eyes.

Donath said he signed the light because he was “bored and stupid”

The pilot was responding to an armed robbery call when the light was shined in his eyes. The pilot feared he would crash and reported that the laser light caused the night vision goggles to shut down.

Jim Julius is a pilot for Sports Planes Florida. He says a laser light can cause major problems for pilots.
"Pilots refer to visual reference to the ground to decide how to fly the airplane," Julius said.
Shining a laser light into a pilot's eyes is a felony. The Sheriff's Office says they can't remember the last time they've had an incident like this.
"You would hope it would be a felony because you endanger the lives of everyone on aircraft plus the people on the ground," Julius said.
The Sheriff's Office pilot will be back to work Wednesday night.

According to the Sheriff’s site:

30-June-2008 Page 74 of 180
Booking #: 200800011181 Booking DATE: 06/28/2008 Booking Time: 02:28 PIN: 0100055337
Name: DONATH,BRUCE A
Arresting Agency: FL0580000 Agency Offense: 200800058159 OBTS: 5801127759
DOB: xx/xx/xxxx
Age at arrest: 50
Residence: 2135 Worrington St
Gender: M
Race: W
Hgt:5’11”
Wgt: 230
Hair: Bro
Eyes: Blu


Chg Statute Charge Description Class
1 777.7778 MISUSE OF LASER LIGHTING DEVICE
Disposition: STATUTE 784.062(3)(A)
Case #: 2008 CF 011025 NC
Arrest Date: 06/27/2008
Employed by: Unemployed
Occupation:
Release Date: 06/28/2008 @ 08:45 hrs
Bond $1,000.00