Man Charged With Shining Laser Pointer At Marine One Aboard Trump

A Washington, D.C., man has been charged in federal court with aiming a laser pointer at Marine One while President Donald Trump was aboard, officials said. Jacob Samuel Winkler, 33, is charged with aiming the beam at an aircraft, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison. Online court records show no attorney listed for Winkler as of Monday.

According to a court filing, a U.S. Secret Service patrol officer spotted Winkler on Saturday walking on a sidewalk near the White House, shirtless and talking to himself. The officer said he shone a flashlight toward Winkler, and Winkler allegedly retaliated by flashing a red laser beam toward the officer’s face. As Marine One flew overhead, Winkler reportedly looked up and directed the laser at the helicopter. After the officer handcuffed him, Winkler allegedly repeated apologies toward Trump. The court filing does not indicate whether anyone aboard the helicopter noticed the laser.

This behavior could have temporarily blinded or disoriented a pilot, potentially placing Marine One at risk of collision with other aircraft in the area, the officer wrote. “This behavior endangers Marine One and everyone on board,” U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said in a statement. Winkler told investigators that he points the laser at “all kinds of things, such as stop signs,” and he did not know he couldn’t point it at Marine One. Investigators also found a small knife in Winkler’s possession.

The case underscores aviation-safety concerns tied to the use of consumer laser pointers near high-profile air traffic. Winkler was arrested and charged Monday in federal court, with prosecutors pursuing the case as a felony under federal law. Court records indicate Winkler remains in custody pending further proceedings. The incident occurred as Marine One was operating near the White House while Trump was aboard, highlighting ongoing security measures around presidential travel.

The investigation continues as federal authorities review the events of that flight and the adequacy of surrounding security. The charge carries substantial penalties, and officials say the FBI and Secret Service will pursue any similar actions to the fullest extent of the law. While the public record does not yet reveal additional charges or outcomes, the case illustrates the heightened attention given to threats that might seem minor but could affect presidential movements.