Ohio men accused of shining laser at planes

LANCASTER, Ohio (AP) — Two men jailed in Ohio are accused of shining a laser pointer at two commercial flights coming into Columbus and a police helicopter.

One of the suspects is a 19-year-old Army helicopter mechanic currently on leave.

Fairfield County Sheriff Dave Phalen says that man, Levi Milstead, and 45-year-old Dennis Smoke were arrested Monday night after the pilots reported a laser had been pointed at their aircraft.

Milstead and Smoke each are charged with one count of possession of criminal tools and two counts of interfering with the operation of aircraft with a laser, a more serious felony carrying up to eight years in prison if convicted.

The men were being in jail today on $50,000 bond each.