Marion County man arrested after repeatedly hitting a Sheriff's helicopter with a laser pointer

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Ocala, FL - What one man called “silly” behavior is now landing him in serious legal trouble. Around 2 a.m. on August 2, 2025, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Aviation Unit was performing a routine security check in the area of SW 154th Lane Road and SW 58th Terrace when a green laser beam began striking their aircraft, AIR-1.

The laser beam obstructed the vision of Master Sergeant John Rawls as he piloted the helicopter. Fortunately, Corporal Tim Marton used the onboard FLIR camera to locate the source of the laser: 41-year-old Adam Santiago-Lugo, who was spotted in his driveway holding binoculars and a laser pointer.

Deputies on the ground were directed to Santiago-Lugo’s location, where he continued pointing the laser at the aircraft even as they approached. Upon contact, he initially refused commands and pulled away but was ultimately secured without further incident.

When asked why he was pointing the laser at the helicopter, Santiago-Lugo reportedly told deputies he was “just being silly.” Deputies recovered the laser pointer, binoculars, and a flashlight as evidence.

Santiago-Lugo was arrested and charged with Pointing a Laser Light at a Pilot, a felony, and Resisting Arrest Without Violence. He was transported to the Marion County Jail.

MCSO is reminding the public that pointing a laser at an aircraft is not a prank — it’s a crime that can endanger lives and lead to serious consequences.