Investigations

On October 20, 2023, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida sentenced Patrick Longsworth to 24 months of incarceration, 36 months of supervised release, and a $300 assessment. Longsworth was convicted of pointing a laser at U.S. Coast Guard and Miami Dade Police helicopters on June 21, 2023.

 

The investigation revealed that Longsworth pointed a laser at U.S. Coast Guard and Miami Dade Police helicopters on multiple occasions, endangering the lives of police officers, military service members, and the public. Longsworth debated buying a larger laser to point at aircraft flying over Longsworth’s residence and informed law enforcement officers of this intention.

 

DOT-OIG conducted this investigation with the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service with assistance from the Miami Dade Police Department and FAA.