Adam Gardenhire, 18, Pioneers Getting Federally Busted For Pointing Laser at Aircraft

By Dennis Romero Thu., Apr. 19 2012 at 7:09 AM

Adam Gardenhire / Facebook

You almost feel bad for Adam Gardenhire, an 18-year-old North Hollywood kid.

He aimed his laser at "multiple aircraft" last month, authorities allege, and now he faces one of the first tests of a new federal law that bans such retardation.

It sound harmless, but pilots have been complaining that more and more lasers, often via young men on the ground with hobby pointers, are temporarily blinding them in the not-so-friendly skies:

The FBI says that on the night of March 29 Gardenhire hit an airborne Cessna with his "commercial-grade" green laser and then zapped a Pasadena police helicopter that responded to the plane's radio complaint.

Unfortunately for the teen, President Obama signed a federal law just two months ago that bans pointing lasers at aircraft. The FBI states:

Mauricio Pastor

Reports of laser attacks have increased dramatically in recent years as laser devices have become more affordable and widely available to the public. In addition, technology has advanced the effectiveness of laser devices, with a resulting increase in the potential safety hazards for pilots operating aircraft and their passengers and crew. Such safety hazards include temporary distraction and impaired vision, which is particularly dangerous during the critical takeoff or landing phase of flight. In addition, pilots have reported the need to abort landings or relinquish control of the aircraft to another pilot as a result of laser attacks. California consistently leads the nation in reports of laser attacks. Over 3,500 laser attacks were reported in 2011.

Gardenhire was tracked down that night by the LAPD and Pasadena cops, feds say. He was arrested but soon bailed out. Late yesterday the FBI announced that he's back behind bars after a federal grand jury hit him Tuesday with two counts of laser pointing.

On his Facebook page Tuesday Gardenhire said he was heading to Twin Towers Correctional Facility downtown:

Twin towers tomorrow... Not looking forward !!!:/ whats poppin though?=)

The FBI says the teenager could see 10 years behind bars if he's convicted. The FAA might also ask him to fork over some cash.

FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller told the Weekly Gardenhire is only the second person ever charged under the new law (the first was an Orlando, Florida man, Glenn Stephen Hansen).

Gardenhire's a true pioneer, L.A. style.

[@dennisjromero / djromero@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]

Tags:

aircraft, airplane, FAA, FBI, federal law, grand jury, helicopter, LAPD, laser, North Hollywood, Pasadena

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drem

One year should suffice to send a message.Maybe he can get his GED in the slammer and make something of himself, because if he thinks it's okay to blind a pilot flying over his house he's probably not too bright.

Allspam365

He's just an idiot, not a criminal. Can we discern between the two??

Donkey Hotay

Pot smoker.

Lilscooby

What a loser, I bet he does not go to school or work.....I hope the turd burgler gets him! The inmates should try to shoot (squirt) something in his eyes to see how he likes it.

Richard

Adam Gardenhire is going to be the new Poster boy for a new Fed law Obama just signed.... and with an Election on the Horizon this kid is going to be the Democrat's whipping boy to show the public they are serious with public safety, homeland security, and who knows what else they will come up with. but he will get 10 year's to show everbody else that thinks it's fun to point the laser pointer's at air crafts and make them think twice....... His Mom will be his defence witness "He's a good boy my little Mijo did not mean to do that I will keep an eye on him'

Guest

hell someone needs to be held as the example for what not to do...may be this kid, umm...i mean fully grown adult...10 years though...it will never happen...overcrowding...although a fine seems acceptable...how in hell did they track him down?..

bigriggs

How can you feel sorry for this kid?

Rusty

He looks like a total loser.

Ftemblador

10 years!!! That's fucken retarded I understand that a federal crime requires at least a year but I say, 30 days at most, with a $1000 fine and 240 hr community service. There's NO WAY that this crime warrants 10 years! In jail.

LA Sinecure

Laser were used in both Iraq and Afghanistan against American pilots. Granted that's a war and we simply blew their little lasers to pieces (along with them). You "paint" any aircraft cockpit with an industrial grade laser, the pilot can be temporarily blinded and sustain permanent damage to the retina. If its a 737 flying into Burbank and loaded with passengers and idiot boy brings it down (and your family is underneath it) what do you think of that 10 year sentence now?

Ray

10 years???? and an FAA fine?? He lives in North Hollywood, what makes them think he has money. Next thing you know you can't point a squirt gun upward.