Investigations
Complaint and Summons Issued to Virginia Man for Pointing Laser at Aircraft
On June 21, 2018, a criminal complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court, Alexandria, Virginia, charging Nicholas Pifer with aiming a laser at two commercial aircraft landing at Dulles International Airport on October 18, 2017.
Deputies from the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) responded to the location identified by one of the pilots and interviewed four construction contractors, including Pifer. Video surveillance showed Pifer pointing a laser at the ground and in the air as the planes touched down.
DOT-OIG is conducting this investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and LCSO.
Note: Indictments, informations, and criminal complaints are only accusations by the Government. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.