Laser Investigation Near Johnston County Regional Airport Leads To Arrest
SMITHFIELD, N.C. — A month-long investigation into lasers being pointed at aircraft near the Johnston County Regional Airport has resulted in the arrest of a Smithfield man on multiple felony charges.
The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday that Alexander Tyson Urtso, 49, of 1610 Swift Creek Road, Smithfield, was arrested May 13 and charged with eight felony counts of illegal use of a laser device.
According to authorities, Urtso posted a $150,000 bond following his arrest.
The charges stem from a series of incidents reported near the Johnston County Regional Airport involving lasers and high-beam lights directed at aircraft. Investigators said victims in the case include Duke Life Flight, Northstar Aviation, and the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office.
In one incident, a deputy reported a laser was pointed at his patrol vehicle while he was investigating the original complaint in April involving a medical helicopter.
The investigation began after a Duke Life Flight helicopter was struck by a green laser beam around 1 a.m. on April 17 while approaching the airport for landing. Authorities said the helicopter was returning to its base at the Johnston County Regional Airport when the pilot reported the laser strike.
Investigators later executed a search warrant on April 30 at Urtso’s residence on Swift Creek Road. Authorities said evidence collected during the search allegedly linked him to the incidents.
Law enforcement officials have emphasized the serious danger posed by lasers aimed at aircraft, particularly during takeoff and landing. Pilots can experience temporary blindness or disorientation, creating potentially deadly conditions for crew members and passengers.
Federal law prohibits aiming lasers at aircraft and carries penalties including substantial fines and prison time.
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So it want a stupid kid doing stupid stuff it was idiot adult who would of thought it
Stay in school
Sad
Ummm, old enough to know better, apparently has a really nice residence, somehow posted for a 150k bond. Add all these things together….mindset of what … funding from where….. Moved here why? How does an individual reach this point in life. Ballgames, race car events, airplanes, autodrivers, pedestrians and pets have fallen victim to horseplay laser tag. If guilty…what’s the correct penalty? Was alcohol or other drugs involved? If so do we ban lasers or substance s? Or both? Was he short one a&& whooping growing up? Was he trying to crash And kill people? This happened several separate events and was widely published with warnings. Better make an example of this individual if he’s truly guilty.
Stupid red****.
That idiot isn’t from here and you need to get out of our RED state. You’re not welcome here!
Is he your cousin? I grew up surrounded by these types. The mentality is always the same with these people. It doesn’t really matter where they come from, the end result is the same.
You sound like you grew up with them!
I don’t suffer fools.
Go back to wherever you came from
Sure, but it’ll be a short walk.
A 49 year old idiot.
The article states it’s a “Smithfield Man” so where is he from??
A grown man doing that. SMH.
I hope the state charges are dropped relating to the aircraft…and federal charges filed. The feds will make a believer of of this low-life scumbag!!!
Dang wasn’t expecting a middle aged f**** ****. What a loser
……MORON…..
He is out of West Virginia. Maybe this is what they do at a family reunion and looking for a date.
Grateful no one was injured or killed because of this grown man’s ignorance.
Why would anyone even think of shining a laser at an aircraft? What possible benefit would one receive from doing this? Well hopefully his benefit is some prison time and a change in behavior occurs.