Lake County man arrested for pointing laser at Sheriff's Office helicopter, deputies say

Phillip Willman charged with six counts

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – The Lake County Sheriff's Office said a man was arrested Friday for repeatedly pointing a laser at a Marion County Sheriff's Office helicopter Thursday night.

Deputies said Marion County Sheriff's Office personnel were looking for someone in an unrelated call in their helicopter when a laser was pointed at them multiple times.

The Sheriff's Office reported the incident to Lake County Sheriff's Office officials.

When questioned by deputies, Phillip Willman, of Weirsdale, told them he was outside when  a helicopter was flying over his home.

Willman told deputies that he did point a green laser at the helicopter, but only once.

Willman removed the laser, described as a "black in color pen type laser," from his pickup truck and turned it over to deputies.

The pilot of the Marion County Sheriff's Office helicopter told deputies that he had 15-20 hits on the helicopter with six direct hits on him and the spotter, the report said.

The helicopter pilot was able to get a description of the home and cars by flying over the area .

Willman was charged with six counts of pointing a laser light at a driver or pilot.

He was released from  the Lake County Jail after posting bond Friday morning. 


Recommended Videos