Man accused of pointing laser at TV helicopter

NEWARK, N.J. – Federal prosecutors are accusing a New Jersey man of aiming a laser pointer at a TV station's helicopter.

Twenty-six-year-old Stiven Lopez-Bender of Elizabeth would face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.

Prosecutors say a helicopter for WABC-TV in New York was covering a house fire in Elizabeth on Nov. 10 when a green laser was aimed at the flight deck. They say a reporter and the pilot saw Lopez-Bender point a laser at the aircraft three more times.

Aviation officials say the laser light can blind pilots, creating a dangerous situation.

It's not known if Lopez-Bender has an attorney. He's in custody and due to appear before a federal magistrate on Thursday afternoon.