Man Arrested After Alleged Laser Directed at Marine One Carrying Trump Near White House
Federal authorities charged a man with aiming a laser at an aircraft; the incident endangered Marine One and the president's flight near the White House.
A man was arrested on a federal criminal charge in Washington, D.C., after allegedly aiming a red laser pointer at Marine One while it flew overhead carrying President Donald Trump near the White House. The charge, aiming a laser at an aircraft, is a felony that carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, prosecutors said.
Secret Service Officer Diego Santiago, on patrol Saturday to secure Marine One's flight path, spotted the suspect, identified by authorities as Jacob Samuel Winkler, shirtless and talking to himself. When Santiago illuminated the man with a flashlight to get a closer look, Winkler aimed the laser at the officer's face, briefly disorienting him. The man then directed the beam toward the low-flying helicopter as it departed the White House with the president aboard. The criminal complaint said the move posed a "danger" to Marine One and everyone aboard, creating a risk of flash blindness, pilot disorientation and a greater chance of a collision.
Winkler was restrained in handcuffs and allegedly began making statements, including, "I should apologize to Donald Trump" and "I apologize to Donald Trump," according to the complaint. Investigators seized the red laser pointer and a fixed-blade knife about three inches long as evidence. Winkler later waived his Miranda rights and told investigators he did not know it was illegal to point the laser at Marine One, adding that he pointed the laser at all kinds of things, such as stop signs.
Online court filings do not list Winkler's age or hometown, and authorities have not indicated whether he has legal representation. The Associated Press reported that the charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
Marine One, the call sign for the president's helicopter when the president is aboard, is routinely accompanied by Secret Service security near the White House. The episode underscores ongoing security measures around the executive residence and the vigilance of agents tasked with safeguarding the president and air assets.
The case remains in federal court in Washington, D.C., with prosecutors pursuing the laser-at-aircraft charge. Court filings did not reveal Winkler’s age or hometown, and it was not clear whether he has legal representation. No additional information about potential court dates was immediately available.