PORTLAND, Ore. — A 35-year-old Portland man is facing federal charges after allegedly pointing a laser at multiple aircraft, including a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) helicopter.
According to court documents, Hector Miranda-Mendoza targeted several aircraft with a high-powered laser on the evening of September 27, 2025. Using an onboard mapping system, CBP officers traced the beam to a Portland residence, where they contacted Miranda-Mendoza. He admitted purchasing the laser recently and claimed he thought the helicopter was a drone, saying he flashed it four or five times.
Federal prosecutors say pointing a laser at an aircraft poses a serious threat, as it can temporarily blind pilots and jeopardize flight safety. “This conduct put the lives of CBP personnel and the community directly at risk,” said U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford.
Miranda-Mendoza appeared before a U.S. Magistrate Judge and was ordered detained pending further proceedings. The charge of aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft carries a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
