Man gets probation in laser pointing case

Staff report

CLEVELAND

A 34-year-old Boardman man received three years’ probation and must perform 200 hours of community service after being sentenced in U.S. Northern District Court on Tuesday on charges he pointed a laser pointer at a helicopter.

Travis D. Krzysztofiak was sentenced by U.S. Judge Christopher A. Boyko.

A federal grand jury indicted Krzysztofiak last July on a felony charge of pointing the laser at a helicopter as it approached Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley, 6505 Market St., at 9:30 p.m. June 15, 2013.

The pilot told Boardman police someone on or near Sciota Avenue, which is two blocks north of the hospital grounds, deliberately shone a silver laser light into the aircraft’s cockpit.

The helicopter had to change its approach to the hospital but was able to land eventually.

The FBI and Boardman police investigated the case.