2014-11-26 Cantrell

Two Amarillo Men Plead Guilty to Aiming Laser at DPS Helicopter

Two Amarillo men pleaded guilty in federal court to aiming a laser pointer at a Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter flying over the city.^[1]

Matthew George Dodgen, 35, and Christopher Anthony Cantrell, 34, each pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Mary Lou Robinson to one count of aiming a laser at an aircraft and aiding and abetting.

The incident occurred at approximately 12:56 a.m. on June 1, 2014, when a green laser struck a DPS helicopter flying over Amarillo. The pilot and co-pilot traced the beam to Dodgen and Cantrell, who were standing near a van outside a residence near Southwest 12th Avenue and Washington Street.

A camera aboard the helicopter recorded the men running to the van and driving away. Amarillo police officers assisting in the investigation quickly located and stopped the vehicle. Dodgen was driving, and Cantrell was in the passenger seat. Officers found a laser on the floorboard between Cantrell’s feet.

Both men admitted pointing the laser at the helicopter. The beam struck the pilot directly in the eyes for a split second, forcing him to look away to avoid another hit. His vision was affected for approximately 20 seconds.

Dodgen and Cantrell each faced up to five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing was scheduled for January 21, 2015. Dodgen remained free on bond, while Cantrell was held in custody.

The FBI investigated the case with assistance from the Texas DPS and Amarillo Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Frausto prosecuted the case.