Ocala Man Who Pointed A Laser At A Marion County Sheriff’s Office Helicopter Faces Federal Charges

Ocala, Florida - United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the return of an indictment charging Adam Santiago Lugo (41, Ocala) with aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft. If convicted, Santiago Lugo faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison.

According to the indictment, on August 2, 2025, Santiago Lugo knowingly aimed the beam of a laser pointer at an aircraft in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States. The specific aircraft was a helicopter operated by the Marion County Sheriff's Office.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Marion County Sheriff's Office, the Federal Air Marshals, and Homeland Security Investigations. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Bodnar, Jr.

NOTE: This matter occurred on a previous date but not published at that time due to government shutdown. Press release posted and made available following the return to normal operations.